Up to 20,000 dissatisfied Moroccans took to the streets on 24 April in the country’s major cities to call for a constitutional monarchy and protest at the slow speed of change.

The peaceful demonstrations were organised by the February 20 movement, named after the date of Morocco’s first countrywide protests. Demonstrators called on civil society organisations for political, social and economic reforms, and an end to corruption, which accounts for a loss of about 2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

On 9 March King Mohammed VI announced major political reforms, including separation of power and judicial independence. He established a committee to propose constitutional changes by June 2011.

Agence Maghreb Arabe Presse, the national news agency provided a more conservative estimate of 7,000 protesters across Rabat and Casablanca.

There were no reports of violence or injuries.