Mozambique: Young people in Manica question five years of military service – DW

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Mozambique: Young people in Manica question five years of military service – DW

4:25 CAT | 04 Jan 2024

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: AIM]

Mozambican deputies recently approved the legislative review increasing compulsory military service from two to five years.

Young men in Manica province in central Mozambique consider that to be too many, highlighting in statements to DW that five years is longer than the time needed to obtain a university degree and asking the Mozambican government to keep them in the ranks afterwards by way of compensation.

They also say that, over a period of five years, recruits run the risk of being alienated from their families.

Paulo Vicente, resident of provincial capital Chimoio, says he is willing to serve five years in the military if he could then permanently join the ranks of the Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique (FADM).

“For those who have a wife, the five years is a lot, but for those who don’t, five years is reasonable. I really want to go into the military even if it is for five years, since I don’t have a wife yet. It never crossed my mind that I would then demobilize, I would prefer to remain in the ranks,” the 27-year-old told DW.

Fadmnyusi.dw_ — *FILE – President of Mozambique visits the country’s military. Young people think that five years of mandatory military service is too much [File photo: Roberto Paquete/DW]*

Crime-fighting

The revised law maintains the minimum age of 18 and maximum age of 35 for entry into military service in Mozambique.

Lenady Isamel Caroço, another young man interviewed by DW about the extension of the period of mandatory military service, thinks it is the right decision, as it will reduce the number of young people roaming the streets, something that in his opinion increases crime.

“It’s many years, but we have to comply, as it’s a patriotic task,” said Isamel. “It will also reduce the number of young people without jobs in cities and towns.”

For this young man, the right thing to do would be for the young soldiers to be inducted directly in the ranks of the FADM after the mandatory five years, instead of being demobilized.

“A 30-year-old individual, after completing his/her compliance, comes back past the minimum age required to apply for job vacancies in the state apparatus, so they should review the law to take into account some [of these] conditions.”

The proposal to review the Military Service Law was taken to the National Assembly by the government on the basis of the need to retain military personnel in the armed forces, and received 160 votes in favour on December 14th from the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo, in power), and 43 votes against from the opposition, the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) and the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM).

Young people should be heard

In the statement after the final vote, the Frelimo bench defended its support, claiming it would “create conditions to make the military institution more robust”, and “guarantee the retention and professionalisation of the military”, in addition to “creating greater dynamism in the Armed Forces”.

Analyst Sande Carmona understands that the five years of mandatory military service will be a waste for most young people: “This law should have been passed in the first instance in youth organisations and other bodies that house the majority of young people in Mozambique. A very serious debate should have been held, with the strong intervention of young people themselves.”

Carmona says that it is necessary to take into account that, after conscription, young people are demobilised and left to their own devices. “The government itself has no responsibility for that young man who went there to sacrifice and defend his homeland for [two] years.”

The legislative proposal introduces direct call-up to the Armed Forces for the Defence of Mozambique (FADM), upon authorization from the Minister of National Defence, criminal liability for absent recruits and military personnel and the payment of fines by directors of public and private institutions who fail to require the presentation of a declaration of the regularised situation [regarding military service].

Source: Deutsche Welle