Africa-Press – Mozambique. The government wants to increase compulsory military service in Mozambique from two to five years. A Mozambican researcher says that this measure is a consequence of the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado: “Without the conflict, there would be no need.”
The Mozambican parliament this Thursday (23-11) approved, in general, an increase in the minimum period of military service from two to five years.
According to the government, this is necessary for the professionalisation and retention of military personnel in the Armed Forces.
However, for Albino Forquilha, a specialist in military affairs, it shows that “the personnel that have been joining the Armed Forces are not enough to cover the country’s major military problems”.
DW Africa: Parliament this Friday approved, in general, an increase in military service from two to five years. How do you see this measure?
Albino Forquilha (AF): This increase indicates that the government is very concerned. The number of personnel that have been joining the Armed Forces in recent years is probably not sufficient to cover major military problems.
Almost every year, young people are recruited for compulsory military service, and, after two and a half years, these young people leave the Armed Forces – only a small number remain. Under normal conditions, this would not be the case, and there would be no reason to increase this period, as we would have young people wanting to join the Armed Forces, for example, because of the lack of jobs. However, war and the conditions to which these young soldiers are exposed may probably create some scepticism, preventing young people from remaining in the Armed Forces.
DW Africa: This, therefore, is a measure that arises from the conflict in Cabo Delgado…
AF: Yes, it has a lot to do with the situation in Cabo Delgado. If we considered ourselves a country at peace, without military conflict and only fulfilling military duty, there would be no need to increase the period. And we don’t even have enough barracks or logistical conditions to house all the young people we have in mandatory military service.
For More News And Analysis About Mozambique Follow Africa-Press
