Collapse of the “Gen Z” Movement in Morocco: A Youth Experience That Lost Momentum and Credibility

Rabat, October 30, 2025 – The “Gen Z” movement, which was presented as a new youth voice demanding reform in Morocco, has witnessed a significant decline in its field presence, revealing loss of popular support and mobilization capacity. After weeks of being promoted as an initiative representing youth aspirations, recent protests revealed weak turnout and internal fragmentation, raising questions about the causes of this collapse and its implications for the future of youth movements in the country.

Clear Field Decline

In the capital Rabat, the protest in front of the parliament on Saturday, October 25, 2025, included only dozens of people, mostly leftist activists and journalists, while major cities like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fes saw no similar activities. Observers believe this weak presence reflects the movement’s loss of popular momentum and reinforces the idea that it failed to convert reform slogans into a sustainable social movement.

Internal Divisions Accelerate Fragmentation

Informed sources indicate that the collapse of the “Gen Z” movement was not surprising but a result of escalating internal disputes, especially among its regional branches connected with the Amazigh Current ██

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Causes of Collapse and Loss of Credibility

The decline of the “Gen Z” movement is attributed to several internal and external factors:

1. Internal Conflicts and Leadership Struggles: Sources revealed sharp divisions within the movement, particularly among regional branches linked to the Amazigh Current, concerning leadership and decision-making mechanisms. These conflicts eroded trust among members, with some activists feeling politically “betrayed” due to perceived external influences conflicting with original social demands.
2. Opaque Funding and Directions: Indications of involvement from non-transparent funding channels raised questions about the movement’s independence. Such suspicions led to accusations of exploiting social tensions for political ends, weakening its credibility with the public.
3. Public Rejection of Politicization: The movement faced broad criticism on social media platforms, where thousands expressed rejection of turning youth issues into tools for ideological conflicts. This reflects growing maturity and awareness among Moroccans, increasingly able to distinguish genuine social demands from politically driven agendas.

Lessons from the “Gen Z” Experience

The movement began raising slogans calling for reform and dignity but ended without producing tangible impact due to the lack of coherence between discourse and practice. This experience highlights the limitations of non-institutional digital movements relying on virtual momentum without firm organizational structure or genuine community connection. It also underscores the maturity of Moroccan youth, now more cautious about unclear or unfocused projects.

The Future of Youth Movements in Morocco

The collapse of the “Gen Z” movement sends a clear message to future activists: successful youth movements require clear goals, organizational autonomy, and a close connection to societal issues. Reliance on catchy slogans and virtual momentum is no longer sufficient to build a sustainable social movement in a Moroccan context that is increasingly aware and mature.