Africa-Press – Mozambique. The 13th Basic Civic Service Course concluded this Saturday (29), with the challenge of producing enough to meet the basic needs and ensure food security for the Defence and Security Forces (FDS).
The event was led by Mozambican Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence and Security Forces, Daniel Chapo, in Montepuez district, Cabo Delgado Province, involving 662 new civic service providers.
He emphasized that the government aims to transform civic service into a sector capable of producing sufficiently to meet the basic needs and food security of the FDS.
“Additionally, we seek to establish local productive chains, reduce financial dependence on the state, and support community development projects,” he said.
The government expects civic service providers to demonstrate determination, patriotism, enhanced adaptability, discipline, and dedication to the common good.
He stressed that without the dedication, bravery, and tenacity of the young people currently serving in the Defence and Security Forces, terrorist groups would already have spread to other parts of the country.
“These young people tirelessly pursue terrorists—rain or shine, cold or wind—and thanks to them, the province would undoubtedly already be under terrorist occupation, and the population would have been driven from their homes and ancestral lands,” he stated.
According to Chapo, 50 years after independence, the nation is renewing the central idea that inspired yesterday’s heroes: the pursuit of Mozambique’s full and complete independence—meaning political and economic sovereignty.
“We are here today witnessing another example of the continuation of the struggle launched by the September 25, 1964 generation, now carried forward by conscious, disciplined, and nationally committed Mozambican youth toward economic independence,” he said.
He explained that civic service in Mozambique is not merely an alternative to military service, but rather a school of civic values, patriotism, and discipline.
“This achievement is the fruit of the determination, courage, and boldness of yesterday’s youth, who today proudly hold the distinguished status of veterans of the national liberation struggle,” he added.
The closing of this basic civic service course marks yet another milestone in the continuation of the September 25, 1964 generation’s legacy—now driven by Mozambican youth committed to conscious, disciplined, and patriotic action for the nation.
“Since the opening of this training center, numerous generations of Mozambicans have graduated and are now actively contributing to the foundations of our economic independence,” he said.
He reiterated that civic service is far more than just an alternative to military conscription—it is a school of civic duty, work ethic, patriotic values, and discipline.
“It is a form of training that prepares youth to operate effectively across three essential dimensions of our modern society: local and national economic development, delivery of basic social services, and strengthening of community cohesion and resilience,” he explained.
Civic service providers also gain practical skills in agriculture, livestock farming, and civil construction.
“These sectors are more than just economic activities—they are the very foundations upon which Mozambique is building its economic independence, one of the government’s top priorities for the 2025–2029 period,” he emphasized.
The Mozambican government is working to ensure that civic service contributes to national production, innovation, sustainability, economic growth, and public well-being.
“However, we must accelerate our pace—this is not a time for walking; it is a time for all of us to run,” he urged.
He underscored that due to the immense efforts of local forces—including Mozambique’s Defence and Security Forces, as well as those from Rwanda, Tanzania, and other partner nations—terrorists have not been able to spread across the entire Cabo Delgado Province.
“To those young men and women stationed in barracks, trenches, here in Cabo Delgado, and deep in the forests hunting down terrorists—please rise and give them a resounding round of applause,” he concluded.
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