Angola: Executive Decree No. 29 of 1997, Recruitment and Incorporation of Angolan Citizens into the Angolan Armed Forces for Compulsory National Military Service

[Summary: to determine the number of times for the Recruitment and Incorporation of Angolan Citizens into the Angolan Armed Forces for Compulsory National Military Service.]

The process of recruiting incorporating Angolan Citizens into the Armed Forces for Active Military Service in accordance with Law No. 1/93, derives from the organization and systematization of all the formalities inherent in presentation, medical examination, selection and the routing of such citizens to the Military Units, Pursuant to the plans and requirements of National Defense, with a view to the rejuvenation and updating, in due course. the numbers and quality of servicemen.

Defense of the Fatherland is the loftiest, overriding duty incumbent on any citizen. The Government deems the defense of Territorial Integrity, National Unity, Peace and the Democratic State and Rule of Law as primordial tasks in the general life of the Nation.

Consolidation of the defense capacity of the Country of necessity resides mainly in the phased, systematic incorporation of citizens into the Army for them to undergo their Compulsory Military Service.

Hence, in accordance with the provisions of Section 114 (3) of Constitutional Law and sub-section 15 (2) (m) of Law No.2/93 of 26 March 1993, it is hereby decided:

Article 1 (Objective)

This Law seeks to determine the number of times Recruitment and Incorporation of Angolan Citizens into the Angolan Armed Forces for Compulsory National Military Service.

Article 2 (Concept)

By times for Military Recruitment and Incorporation is meant the period from the time of medical examination for selection and aptitude to the time of pre-recruitment into the Armed Forces.

Article 3 (Scope)

The provisions of this Law shall apply to all nationals who have attained the age for undergoing Compulsory Military Service, as stipulated in Law No. 1/93 of 26 March 1993, irrespective of whether they reside within the country or abroad.

Article 4 (Recruitment and Incorporation Batches)

1.         Military Recruitment and Incorporation shall be conducted 5 times a year, as follows:

a.   Twice for the Military Recruitment and Incorporation of Privates;

b.   Twice for the Military Recruitment and Incorporation of Non-commissioned officers;

c.   Once for the Military Recruitment and Incorporation of Non-commissioned officers.

2.         According to Article 38 (1) of Law No. 1/93 of 26 March 1993, the timetable for the times for Military Recruitment and Incorporation shall be determined by order of the Army General Chief of Staff.

3.         The General Chief of Staff of the Angolan Army shall propose the number of men to be incorporated into the Army each year to the Minister for National Defense, for approval by the Council of Ministers.

4.         The number of men to be incorporated each time shall be determined in the plan approved by the General Chief of Staff of the Angolan Army.

Article 5 (Duration of the Recruitment and Incorporation exercise)

1.         The duration of the Recruitment and Incorporation exercise shall be a maximum of 30 days and a minimum of 10 days.

2.         In case of need, the duration for the Recruitment and Incorporation exercise may be altered by a further 15 days or curtailed by 2 days.

Article 6 (Prolongation or an extraordinary Recruitment and Incorporation tour)

1.         As and when necessary, the Minister for National Defense may order an extraordinary Military Recruitment and Incorporation tour or may curtail the number of times provided for in Article 4 above.

2.         The Minister for National Defense shall decide whether to prolong or curtail the duration for Military Recruitment and Incorporation of Citizens, when circumstances so warrant.

Article 7 (Routing of Incorporated Citizens)

1.         Incorporated Citizens must be grouped according to their level of education and by the following criteria:

a.   Grade 12 or equivalent for officers' course

b.   Grade 8 or equivalent for Sergeants (NCOs)

c.   Below Grade 8 Privates.

Article 8 (Doubts and Omissions)

Any doubts and Omissions arising from the interpretation and implementation of this Law shall be resolved by Order of the Minister for National Defense.

Article 9 (Entry into Force)

This Decree shall enter into force with effect from the date of its signature.