Angola: Update to AGO39461.E of 9 July 2002 regarding military service; current registration campaign; current and targeted size of the military; whether it is the intent of the government to enlist in the military all those who register and who are not exempted by law
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 12 February 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | AGO41176.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Angola: Update to AGO39461.E of 9 July 2002 regarding military service; current registration campaign; current and targeted size of the military; whether it is the intent of the government to enlist in the military all those who register and who are not exempted by law , 12 February 2003, AGO41176.E , available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d4e38.html [accessed 26 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to the Consular Affairs Officer of the Angolan embassy in Ottawa, the current "conscription campaign" is the registration process for military service as prescribed in Angolan law (3 Feb. 2003).
Although the Consular Affairs Officer did not provide additional details on the current campaign (ibid.), an official from the Canadian Consulate in Luanda stated that currently "[t]here is not a conscription campaign but an obligatory registration campaign. To our knowledge there have been no recent call-ups for military service since the ceasefire was signed last April. Young men 18 and older are obliged to register under the Military Service Law. Without the registration card it is difficult to get employment in official jobs, passports and entrance to universities" (10 Feb. 2003).
According to a 3 February 2003 article by the Angola Press Agency (APA), youths who register for military service will not face "difficulties" set out in the law concerning access to public schools, colleges and jobs. Further information on the military service campaign and whether registration will result in enlistment could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. In addition, no clarification on the ages of the individuals involved beyond that found in the Angola Press Agency article of 9 January 2003 attached to this Information Request could be found among the sources consulted.
Regarding the current size of the military, The Europa World Year Book 2002 provides the following information on the Angola defence forces:
In August 2001 the estimated strength of the armed forces was 124,000 (including 75,000 conscripts), comprising an army of 107,000, a navy of about 7,000 and an air force of 10,000. The 2000 defence budget was estimated at AD 138,000m. Military service is compulsory for 18 months. There are paramilitary forces of 181,200, controlled by the Ministry of Defence and the Directorate of National Security, and an estimated 100,000 self-defence militia and communal guards.
The CIA World Factbook 2002 estimates that there are 1,272,509 males between 15 to 49 years of age who are fit for military service and 103,807 males reaching "military age" annually (9 Dec. 2002). Additional information on the size of the Angolan military and specific information on the targeted size of the military could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Angola. Embassy of the Republic of Angola, Ottawa. 3 February 2003. Correspondence from Consular Affairs Officer.
Angola Press Agency (APA). 3 February 2003. "Hundreds Flock for Military Conscription Day." Canada. Canadian Consulate, Luanda. 10 February 2003. Correspondence from Consular Assistant.
CIA World Factbook 2002. 9 December 2002. "Angola." The Europa World Year Book 2002. 2002. 42nd ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications.
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
NEXIS
Unsuccessful attempts to contact the Angolan Anti-Militarism Initiative for Human Rights, Médecins sans frontières and the Christian Children's Fund.
The following organizations could not provide information on the above-mentioned topic: Action for Southern Africa, GOAL Ireland and Human Rights Watch.
Internet sites, including:
Africa Action
Africa Confidential
AllAfrica.com
Amnesty International (AI)
Angolan Anti-Militarism Initiative for Human Rights
BBC Africa
Embassy of Angola Website: UK, Canada, France
Global IDP
Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)
Jane's Intelligence Review
Missionary Service News Agency (MISNA)
Relief Web
Republic of Angola Website
UK Home Office, Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), Country Assessment: Angola.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR)
World News Connection (WNC)
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