The youth-led unrest that swept Morocco last week exposed widespread frustration over poverty and inadequate public services, contrasting sharply with the government’s narrative of ambitious infrastructure projects and new stadiums planned for the 2030 World Cup.

The protests in major cities – inspired by similar revolts in Nepal , Madagascar and Peru – devolved into riots in rural towns and remote cities. Three people were shot dead as they tried to storm a security headquarters, and over 400were arrested, before the violence eased.

The unrest was the most widespread since the 2011 Arab Spring protests, which prompted King Mohammed VI to devolve some powers to parliament. It was also the most violent since the 2016 protests in the Rif region.

The protests expose a challenge for aut

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