Morocco: Medical students threaten to resume protests due to the Ministry’s silence

Tensions are escalating in Morocco’s medical, dental, and pharmacy faculties, as the National Commission of Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy Students (CNEMEP) published an open letter addressing the Minister of Health. The letter underlines the government’s inaction in fulfilling pledges made after the longest student movement in the country’s history.

The CNEMEP criticises the “deaf ear” turned by the Ministry, particularly concerning the daily allowances, which remain set at 21 dirhams despite promises to increase them. For the student representatives, this status quo represents a clear violation of the terms of the agreement that ended the indefinite strike launched on December 16, 2023.

The letter, made public on Monday, is framed within what the CNEMEP describes as an “alarming climate of tensions.” It explicitly mentions the “potential escalation,” accusing the authorities of failing to involve students in decisions about the reform of the training system, as was agreed in November 2024. This agreement had stipulated direct participation by the commission in overseeing reforms to avoid another paralysis of the system.

Other unresolved demands include the effective repeal of the controversial reform that lowered the duration of medical studies from seven to six years. While an agreement was reached to ensure this measure would not apply retroactively to the four cohorts preceding its implementation, students are calling for concrete guarantees to prevent its broader application.

The November 2024 agreement ended a historic strike lasting nearly a year, marking a turning point in student mobilisation in Morocco. At that time, the CNEMEP had praised the compromise, which addressed most of its demands. Nevertheless, six months later, the lack of effective implementation of these resolutions threatens to reignite a large-scale movement.

The commission now calls for a “quick, concrete, and responsible response” from the Ministry of Health, emphasising that unfulfilled promises only deepen the frustration within the faculties.

Without immediate action, the prospect of a new standoff between students and the authorities seems increasingly likely.