Thousands protest in Marrakesh after cafe bombing

About 7,000 demonstrators marched through the Moroccan city of Marrakesh Sunday to condemn last week’s bombing there and demand that democratic reforms should not be stalled because of the fight against violence.

Reuters/Jean Blondin

The demonstration started in the city centre and ended at Jemaa el-Fna Square, where the bombing, which killed 17 people, took place.

It was organised by the 20 February Movement, whose previous protests led King Mohammed VI to announce constitutional reforms and set up a committee charged with proposing changes.

Many of the demonstrators, most of whom were young, said they had no confidence in the committee, chaired by lawyer Adfeltif Menouni.

They also criticised two of the king’s advisers, his personal secretary Mounir Majidi, and former junior minister Fouad Ali El Himma.

The tone was more hardline than on previous demonstrations, inspired by revolts

in Tunisia and Egypt, on 20 February, 20 March and 24 April and included calls for a new constitution and social justice.

A similar protest was scheduled to take place in Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca, on Sunday evening.