Conscientious objection

04/08/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Namibia has never had conscription since achieving independence in 1990. [4]

Apparently, when becoming independent, it was planned to introduce a two-years' compulsory military service, but in 1990 it was reported that conscription had not been included in Namibia's constitution. [2]

recruitment

Recruitment into the Namibia Defence Force is on a voluntary basis.

31/07/1998 1 Conscription

conscription exists

Since achieving independence in 1975, there has been conscription. It is believed that following the 1992 peace agreement between the government and the armed opposition RENAMO, conscription has not been enforced.

However, conscription was reintroduced on 3 November 1997, when a 124 against 103 majority in the Mozambican parliament voted in favour of a new conscription law.

30/07/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Mauritius has no armed forces, except for two paramilitary forces: a special mobile force and a coast guard. [5]

There is no conscription and no conscription law. [1] [2] [3] [4]

recruitment

The minimum recruitment age for the paramilitary forces is 18.

30/07/1998 1 Conscription

conscription not enforced

Mauritania has no conscription. [1] [3] [4]

Although the 14 June 1962 Law provides for a two-years' compulsory military service, this law has apparently never been applied. [2] [6]

recruitment

Recruitment into the armed forces is on a voluntary basis. [2] [3] [4]

The minimum legal recruitment age is 16.

30/07/1998

From 1990 onwards there has been an armed conflict in the north of Mali. Armed Tuareg groups attacked government institutions and civilians. Due to the armed conflict, 120,000 Tuaregs fled abroad. In 1992 a peace agreement was signed between the government and the Unified Movements and Fronts of Azawad (MFUA), an umbrella organisation of four armed Tuareg groups. The agreement provided for disarmament of the Tuareg rebels and their integration into the armed forces. But the rebellion and the killings did not cease.

29/07/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Malawi has no conscription. In situations of public emergency, every citizen aged 18 to 60 years may be called up for national service under the National Service Act (Cap. 12:02). [1]

recruitment

Recruitment into the armed forces is on a voluntary basis.

The minimum legal recruitment age is 18.

29/07/1998 1 Conscription

conscription exists

Madagascar has conscription, which is enshrined in art. 19 of the constitution. [1] [3] [4]

According to the government in 1980, "Compulsory national service is organised to ensure the social and cultural development of the majority, in addition to the requirements of national defence" (arts. 19 and 20 of the constitution). [1]

The present legal basis of conscription is believed to be the 6 March 1978 Order No. 78-003 on national service.

28/07/1998

Liberia plunged into civil war in 1989, when the repressive government of president Doe was overthrown. From then onwards, Liberia has more or less ceased to exist as a nation-state, with several armed factions fighting each other.

28/07/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Lesotho has no conscription. [1]

recruitment

Apparently, enlistment in the Royal Lesotho Defence Force (RLDF) is voluntary.

2 Conscientious objection

There is no known legal provision for conscientious objection.

3 Desertion

No information available.

6 Annual statistics

Lesotho's armed forces, the RLDF, are 2,000-strong - 0.1 percent of the population. [2]

Sources

[1] Eide, A., C. Mubanga-Chipoya 1985.

Updated February 2016

Download the report as a pdf

Issues

Conscription exists, and only members of specific religious denominations can be recognised as conscientious objectors

28/07/1998 1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Kenya has no conscription and has never had since achieving independence in 1963. [2] [3] [1]

recruitment

Recruitment into the armed forces is on a voluntary basis. The minimum recruitment age is not known.

The armed forces and the security forces are totally dominated by the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) party.

28/07/1998

Since 1988 Burma has been ruled by a military government - the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). The country has been renamed Myanmar by the SLORC, but as this name is commonly associated with the military regime, which has one of the worst human rights records in the world, we prefer to refer to the country as Burma.

1 Conscription

conscription exists

The government claims that the armed forces (Tatmadaw) consist of volunteers.