Moroccans stage anti-government rally

Moroccan protesters have once again taken to streets in the country’s largest city of Casablanca to demand the overthrow of the regime.

The rally was sparked by the self-immolation of five unemployed Moroccans outside an Education Ministry compound in Rabat on January 18.

Self-immolation has become a protest tactic across North Africa after Tunisian vendor Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire in December 2010, setting off an uprising that toppled the government.

Unemployed Moroccans have been holding almost daily protest rallies demanding jobs since last year despite a number of reforms announced by King Mohammed VI and approved in a referendum.

Moroccans say the reforms are not sufficient since the king still retains key powers and remains the head of the military.

Protesters say the 2011 November polls failed to display true reforms and that the US-backed ruling monarchy is not committed to real changes.

While the Official unemployment rate in Morocco is 9.6 percent, the figure stands at 31.4 percent for those under 34 years old.