Thousands of people took to the streets in Morocco today against rising prices and “oppression”. “People want lower prices. The people want to put an end to arbitrariness and corruption,” chanted the estimated 3,000 demonstrators in the capital, Rabat. It was the biggest protest in Morocco in months.
“We came to protest against a government that represents the link between money and power,” said Younes Ferachine, of the Moroccan Social Front (FSM), of leftist parties and unions, which organized the demonstration. People across the country responded to his call.
Morocco has yet to recover from the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, coupled with high inflation. In October, consumer prices rose 7.1% year-on-year, mainly due to higher food prices. According to a government report, the poverty rate has returned to 2014 levels.