The Ministry of National Defence (MDN) revealed on Tuesday 6 February that there have been more than 149,000 young people enrolled in the Compulsory Military Service (SMO) since January this year, which represents a slight increase compared to the same period in 2022 when only 148,000 citizens were registered.
In a statement, the organisation said that of the total number of people enrolled, 96,700 are men and 52,000 are women, and that the provinces of Zambézia, Manica, Maputo and Gaza had the highest number of interested parties.
“The military census started on 2 January and ends on 28 February. So far, more than 149,000 people have registered, corresponding to 67.48 per cent of the planned target,” said the MDN.
To carry out the process, 1,670 census centres have been set up, of which 1,499 are fixed and 171 mobile.
Last December, President Filipe Nyusi promulgated the legislative revision that increases the minimum length of compulsory military service from two to five years. The document was approved in Parliament only with the favourable votes of the ruling party, the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo).
Military registration takes place throughout the country and at diplomatic and consular missions for young Mozambicans living abroad. The exercise is carried out at the beginning of each year and does not automatically imply incorporation into the SMO, as this is subject to aptitude tests and the number defined annually for entry into the Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM).