RABAT, Oct 14, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The movement behind nationwide protests sweeping Morocco, the GenZ 212 youth collective, called Monday for "peaceful sit-ins" to push its demands for reforms.

The online movement, a driving force behind more than two weeks of near-nightly protests in the kingdom, called for demonstrators to take part in sit-ins Saturday in cities across the country.

"We call on young people in Morocco and all citizens to massively mobilise to support this movement until our demands are met," the group, whose founders remain unknown, said in a statement.

The protests erupted in late September, after the deaths of eight pregnant women during Caesarean sections at a hospital in Agadir, in southern Morocco, sparked anger over conditions at public health facilities.

Protesters are also outraged over the state of the education system, alleged corruption and other issues.

The movement announced a pause in the protests ahead of King Mohammed VI's annual address to parliament Friday.

In the closely watched speech, the monarch said creating jobs for young people and improving the health and education systems were "priorities" -- but made no reference to the protest movement.

The rallies in the north African country have drawn crowds ranging from dozens to several hundred people.

They have been largely peaceful, though some nights have seen spates of violence and vandalism.

Three people were killed in clashes with security forces earlier this month, while police have made dozens of arrests.

GenZ 212 also called Monday for a boycott campaign, without specifying the targets.

At protests in Casablanca, AFP reporters have seen demonstrators brandish placards against Afriquia, a fuel-distribution company that is a subsidiary of the Akwa group, co-owned by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch's family.

Akhannouch is Morocco's third-richest person, with a fortune estimated at $1.5 billion, according to Forbes.