فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Errachidia – On Thursday, October 23, 2025, a group of young men and women from Errachidia province announced their final withdrawal from the “Gen Z” movement, a digital youth activism platform popular on social media platforms like Discord. The withdrawers stated that the movement “deviated from its original goals” and transformed into “an ideological battleground dominated by radical leftist currents.” This announcement comes amid increasing internal fractures within the movement, which had previously witnessed mass withdrawals in other Moroccan regions, reflecting a deep crisis of trust threatening its cohesion.
Background of the Movement and Reasons for Withdrawal
The “Gen Z” movement, also known as GenZ212, emerged in September 2025 as a decentralized youth movement demanding reforms in the health and education sectors, focusing on job creation and public services improvement. It began as a digital group on Discord, growing to over 150,000 members by early October, inspired by similar protests in Nepal and other countries. However, late September street protests escalated into violence and vandalism, triggering sharp criticisms and internal divisions.
In a statement posted on social media, the Errachidia withdrawers, who identify themselves as followers of the Amazigh current advocating smooth reform and stability without violence, claimed they were “expelled and oppressed within digital discussion spaces under false and racist pretexts.” They added that “forces dominating the movement are steering it toward positions that undermine national institutions, whereas it initially championed social slogans related to health and education.” They also warned that the movement “is heading into the unknown, dissipating the energy of youth seeking real change.”
Internal Fractures and Previous Withdrawals
The youth withdrawal from Errachidia is part of a wider wave of splits. On October 19, youth from the Drâa-Tafilalet region (including Zagora and Errachidia) suspended their solidarity with the movement, branding it as “losing credibility” and becoming “a project disrupting the nation.” Similarly, on October 18, youth from the Oriental region (Oujda, Nador, Guercif) announced full withdrawal, citing “accumulated disappointments and loss of direction.” An earlier Amazigh faction’s withdrawal signals deep internal fractures threatening the movement’s unity.
| Date | Region | Main Reasons for Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| October 18, 2025 | Oriental Region (Oujda, Nador, etc.) | Loss of direction, internal splits, leadership failures |
| October 19, 2025 | Drâa-Tafilalet (Errachidia, Zagora, etc.) | Loss of credibility, turning into a disruptive project |
| October 23, 2025 | Errachidia Province | Radical leftist ideological deviation, racist oppression, marginalization of Amazigh current |
Reactions and Digital Context
The statement triggered widespread reactions on X (formerly Twitter), where some activists described the movement as “Gen Z of unconsciousness,” turning into a tool of chaos, criticizing the hosting of controversial figures like Souad Al-Barahma and Naima Al-Kelaf, linked to sensitive human rights issues. Others claimed the withdrawals reveal “collusion with enemies of the nation,” stressing the importance of protecting youth from external influences through awareness campaigns.
On the other hand, some accounts defended the movement as “resistance against extinction,” viewing counter-campaigns as attempts at misinformation. Nonetheless, the splits reflect a deeper divide between youth supporting peaceful reform and extremist currents, amid rising youth unemployment rates (35.8% for ages 15-24).
Legal Framework and Future Implications
These developments align with the Moroccan legal context, which protects freedom of expression under the constitution but prohibits vandalism and extremist propaganda under the criminal law. The withdrawals are expected to lead to the movement’s restructuring or dissolution, with growing calls for enhanced digital awareness to counter external influences. Ultimately, this event marks a turning point in Moroccan youth activism, highlighting the need for peaceful reform channels that uphold national stability.
