Forty Moroccan cities see protests over spiralling living costs, caused by drought and Ukraine war

Moroccans took to the streets on Sunday to protest the rising cost of living and restrictions to free expression in the kingdom.

Forty cities saw protests with demands for social justice, freedom, equality, as a drought in North Africa and the knock-on effects of the war in Ukraine are felt in Morocco.

"We call for annulling the skyrocketing increases in many vital goods, and we demand an increase in the wages of workers and employees," said the Moroccan Social Front, a non-governmental organisation that led Sunday's protests.

Morocco is witnessing the worst drought in three decades with a more than 50 percent decrease in average rainfall.

The environmental disaster has brought the country's agricultural industry to its knees,  driving up the price of vegetables and fruits in Morocco stores and markets. 

The price of kilogram of tomatoes - a vital ingredient in most Moroccan dishes- saw a staggering 50 percent increase from 5 dirhams (50 US cents) to 10 dirhams ($1) last week. 

Fuel prices in Morocco have also shot up to 13 dirhams (1.3$), prompting a knock-on effect on other goods.

The Moroccan government has said that state support - such as subsidies on wheat and gas - has prevented the population from feeling the worst of the crisis.

But it is also ruling out a cap on fuel prices, promising to find other solutions to ease the ongoing rise in energy prices.