Mozambique Elections: Political parties call for postponement of voter registration - Watch
File photo: A Verdade
The revision of the National Defense Law now allows the Mozambican Armed Defence Forces (FADM) to intervene in internal security matters in the place of the regular police.
The 135 Frelimo party deputies passed the revision of Law 18/97 which, besides a general update taking into account developments in the legal framework over the last two decades, allows the FADM to replace the PRM in certain circumstances.
The article on the use of the army in a State of Emergency or a State of Emergency situation includes the possibility that the “Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique may be used for internal security in cases where police cannot cope with the prevailing situation.”
Another article which polarised the of Assembly deputies is that concerning justice and military discipline, which was previously regulated by the Military Justice Code and the Military Discipline Regulation. But the revised Law approved last Friday (23) has established a “duty of obedience”. This appears to have been written as Renamo guerrillas are being integrated in the country’s security and defence forces, and “consists of fully and promptly complying with military laws and the regulations and others which derive from it, as well as the orders and instructions emanating from a hierarchical superior, in matters of service.”
A National Maritime Authority System, National Aeronautical Authority and a Force and Device System were also introduced.
The review also exempted from prior review by the Administrative Tribunal appointments, promotions, secondments in service commission, progressions, replacements and transfers of FADM members.
By Adérito Caldeira
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.