Draft evasion in Mozambique

In one province in Mozambique, the great majority of young people called up for military service "did not turn up", reports O Pais.

By law, all Mozambicans (men and women) must register for military service in the year of their 18th birthday. The armed forces (FADM) then selects those it wishes to recruit and submits them to medical tests to check whether they are "fit to join the military".

Those who have not responded to the call up have 30 days to justify their absence before they are considered deserters.

A 2012 study showed that conscription in Mozambique was unpopular with a majority of young people.

WRI are attempting to reach anti-conscription groups in Mozambique. If you have contact with any, please write to hannah@wri-irg.org

Sources:

• AllAfrica.com, Mozambique: Conscripts Evade Draft in Manica, 22 April, 2014

• CO Update, Mozambique: Conscription not popular among youth, 2 August 2012

• CIA Factbook, Military service age and obligation (years of age)