2012 Edition

Background

Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid 1990s. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between Frelimo and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. President GUEBUZA was reelected to a second term in October 2009. However, the elections were flawed by voter fraud, questionable disqualification of candidates, and Frelimo use of government resources during the campaign. As a result, Freedom House removed Mozambique from its list of electoral democracies.

Area

799,380 sq km 786,380 sq km 13,000 sq km

total

799,380 sq km

water

13,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of California

Climate

tropical to subtropical

Coastline

2,470 km

Elevation extremes

Indian Ocean 0 m Monte Binga 2,436 m

highest point

Monte Binga 2,436 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.63 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%) 32 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

32 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.63 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%)

Geographic coordinates

18 15 S, 35 00 E

Geography - note

the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country

Irrigated land

1,180 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

4,571 km Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km

border countries

Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km

total

4,571 km

Land use

5.43% 0.29% 94.28% (2005)

arable land

5.43%

other

94.28% (2005)

permanent crops

0.29%

Location

Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces

Natural resources

coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite

Terrain

mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west

Total renewable water resources

216 cu km (1992)

Age structure

45.7% (male 5,405,274/ female 5,350,732) 51.3% (male 5,722,152/ female 6,341,765) 3% (male 320,066/ female 375,945) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

45.7% (male 5,405,274/ female 5,350,732)

15-64 years

51.3% (male 5,722,152/ female 6,341,765)

65 years and over

3% (male 320,066/ female 375,945) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

39.34 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

21.2% (2003)

Death rate

12.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%

Health expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

11.5% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

74,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1.4 million (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.8 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

76.85 deaths/1,000 live births 79.04 deaths/1,000 live births 74.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

74.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

76.85 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Emakhuwa 25.3%, Portuguese (official) 10.7%, Xichangana 10.3%, Cisena 7.5%, Elomwe 7%, Echuwabo 5.1%, other Mozambican languages 30.1%, other 4% (1997 census)

Life expectancy at birth

52.02 years 51.26 years 52.8 years (2012 est.)

female

52.8 years (2012 est.)

total population

52.02 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 56.1% 70.8% 42.8% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

42.8% (2010 est.)

male

70.8%

total population

56.1%

Major cities - population

MAPUTO (capital) 1.589 million; Matola 761,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and plague schistosomiasis rabies (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and plague

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Maternal mortality rate

490 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

16.8 years 16.2 years 17.5 years (2012 est.)

female

17.5 years (2012 est.)

male

16.2 years

total

16.8 years

Nationality

Mozambican(s) Mozambican

adjective

Mozambican

noun

Mozambican(s)

Net migration rate

-2.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.027 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

23,515,934 (July 2012 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246

Population growth rate

2.442% (2012 est.)

Religions

Catholic 28.4%, Protestant 27.7% (Zionist Christian 15.5%, Evangelical Pentecostal 10.9%, Anglican 1.3%), Muslim 17.9%, other 7.2%, none 18.7% (1997 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 38% of population rural: 4% of population total: 17% of population urban: 62% of population rural: 96% of population total: 83% of population

rural

96% of population

total

83% of population

urban

62% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

9 years 10 years 8 years (2007)

female

8 years (2007)

male

10 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.85 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

5.4 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

38% of total population (2010) 4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

38% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia

Capital

Maputo 25 57 S, 32 35 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

25 57 S, 32 35 E

name

Maputo

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

30 November 1990

Country name

Republic of Mozambique Mozambique Republica de Mocambique Mocambique Portuguese East Africa

conventional long form

Republic of Mozambique

conventional short form

Mozambique

former

Portuguese East Africa

local long form

Republica de Mocambique

local short form

Mocambique

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Douglas M. GRIFFITHS Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo P. O. Box 783, Maputo [258] (21) 492797 [258] (21) 490114

chief of mission

Ambassador Douglas M. GRIFFITHS

embassy

Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo

FAX

[258] (21) 490114

mailing address

P. O. Box 783, Maputo

telephone

[258] (21) 492797

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Amelia Matos SUMBANA 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 293-7146 [1] (202) 835-0245

chancery

1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Amelia Matos SUMBANA

FAX

[1] (202) 835-0245

telephone

[1] (202) 293-7146

Executive branch

President Armando Emilio GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005) Prime Minister Alberto Clementino VAQUINA (since 8 October 2012) Cabinet president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for three terms); election last held on 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister appointed by the president Armando GUEBUZA reelected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO 8.8%

cabinet

Cabinet

chief of state

President Armando Emilio GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005)

election results

Armando GUEBUZA reelected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO 8.8%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for three terms); election last held on 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Alberto Clementino VAQUINA (since 8 October 2012)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book; green represents the riches of the land, white peace, black the African continent, yellow the country's minerals, and red the struggle for independence; the rifle symbolizes defense and vigilance, the hoe refers to the country's agriculture, the open book stresses the importance of education, and the star represents Marxism and internationalism

Government type

republic

Independence

25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, CPLP, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president, and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, Constitutional Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of Portuguese civil law, Islamic law, and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014) percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 74.7%, RENAMO 17.7%, MDM 3.9%, other 3.7%; seats by party - FRELIMO 191, RENAMO 51, MDM 8

election results

percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 74.7%, RENAMO 17.7%, MDM 3.9%, other 3.7%; seats by party - FRELIMO 191, RENAMO 51, MDM 8

elections

last held on 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

National anthem

"Patria Amada" (Lovely Fatherland) Salomao J. MANHICA/unknown adopted 2002

lyrics/music

Salomao J. MANHICA/unknown

name

"Patria Amada" (Lovely Fatherland)

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Movement of Mozambique (Movimento Democratico de Mocambique) or MDM [Daviz SIMANGO]; Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA]; Mozambique National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Afonso DHLAKAMA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry

Budget

$4.37 billion $5.324 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$5.324 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$4.37 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.25% (31 December 2010 est.) 9.95% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

18.8% (31 December 2012 est.) 19.1% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.432 billion (2012 est.) -$1.615 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$4.88 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.461 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

45.6 (2008) 47.3 (2002)

Economy - overview

At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. Inspite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for more than half of its annual budget, and in 2008 54% of the population remained below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force and smallholder agricultural productivity and productivity growth is weak. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the Mozal aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date, has increased export earnings. At the end of 2007, and after years of negotiations, the government took over Portugal's majority share of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity Company (HCB), a dam that was not transferred to Mozambique at independence because of the ensuing civil war and unpaid debts. More electrical power capacity is needed for additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing that could further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. In July 2007 the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a compact with Mozambique; the compact entered into force in September 2008 and will continue for five years. Compact projects will focus on improving sanitation, roads, agriculture, and the business regulation environment in an effort to spur economic growth in the four northern provinces of the country. Mozambique grew at an average annual rate of 9% in the decade up to 2007, one of Africa's strongest performances. However, heavy reliance on aluminum, which accounts for about one-third of exports, subjects the economy to volatile international prices. The sharp decline in aluminum prices during the global economic crisis lowered GDP growth by several percentage points. Citizens rioted in September 2010, after fuel, water, electricity, and bread price increases were announced. In an attempt lessen the negative impact on people, the government implemented subsidies, decreased taxes and tariffs, and instituted other fiscal measures. Real growth of more than 7% per year was achieved in 2010-12. Investment in the country's gas sector may raise Mozambique's economic growth to 8% per year through 2017.

Exchange rates

meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 28.13 (2012 est.) 29.075 (2011 est.) 33.96 (2010 est.) 26.28 (2009) 24.125 (2008)

Exports

$3.516 billion (2012 est.) $2.776 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity

Exports - partners

South Africa 28.9%, Belgium 15.1%, Italy 11.8%, Spain 8.5%, China 6.6% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

31.8% 24.6% 43.6% (2012 est.)

agriculture

31.8%

industry

24.6%

services

43.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,200 (2012 est.) $1,100 (2011 est.) $1,100 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.5% (2012 est.) 7.3% (2011 est.) 7.1% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$14.64 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$26.22 billion (2012 est.) $24.39 billion (2011 est.) $22.72 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.9% 36.7% (2008)

highest 10%

36.7% (2008)

lowest 10%

1.9%

Imports

$5.373 billion (2012 est.) $4.187 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners

South Africa 35.4%, China 10.2%, India 8.4%, US 6.6%, Australia 6.1%, Portugal 4.4% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

8% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.5% (2012 est.) 10.4% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

26.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

10.1 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

81% 6% 13% (1997 est.)

agriculture

81%

industry

6%

services

13% (1997 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

54% (2008 est.)

Public debt

39.9% of GDP (2012 est.) 34.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.626 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.469 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$5.268 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $4.095 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.711 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.387 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.006 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.576 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

29.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

21% (1997 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.728 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

10.19 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

12.94 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

10.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

89.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

7.869 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.428 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

16.79 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

80 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

3.04 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

3.12 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

127.4 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

19,580 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

13,200 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-run TV station supplemented by private TV station; Portuguese state TV's African service, RTP Africa, and Brazilian-owned TV Miramar are available; state-run radio provides nearly 100% territorial coverage and broadcasts in multiple languages; a number of privately-owned and community-operated stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.mz

Internet hosts

89,737 (2012)

Internet users

613,600 (2009)

Telephone system

a fair telecommunications system that is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges stagnation in the fixed-line network contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; mobile-cellular coverage now includes all the main cities and key roads, including those from Maputo to the South African and Swaziland borders, the national highway through Gaza and Inhambane provinces, the Beira corridor, and from Nampula to Nacala; extremely low fixed-line teledensity; despite significant growth in mobile-cellular services, teledensity remains low at about 35 per 100 persons country code - 258; landing point for the EASSy and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)

domestic

stagnation in the fixed-line network contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; mobile-cellular coverage now includes all the main cities and key roads, including those from Maputo to the South African and Swaziland borders, the national highway through Gaza and Inhambane provinces, the Beira corridor, and from Nampula to Nacala; extremely low fixed-line teledensity; despite significant growth in mobile-cellular services, teledensity remains low at about 35 per 100 persons

general assessment

a fair telecommunications system that is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges

international

country code - 258; landing point for the EASSy and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

88,100 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

7.855 million (2011)

Airports

100 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

9

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

4

over 3,047 m

1

total

21

under 914 m

4 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

37 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

9

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

32

total

79

under 914 m

37 (2012)

Merchant marine

cargo 2 2 (Belgium 2) (2010)

foreign-owned

2 (Belgium 2) (2010)

total

2

Pipelines

gas 918 km; refined products 278 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Beira, Maputo, Nacala

Railways

4,787 km 4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

total

4,787 km

Roadways

30,331 km 6,303 km 24,028 km (2000)

total

30,331 km

unpaved

24,028 km (2000)

Waterways

460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

4,613,367 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,613,367 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

2,677,473 2,941,073 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,941,073 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,677,473

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

274,602 280,008 (2010 est.)

female

280,008 (2010 est.)

male

274,602

Military branches

Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mocambique, FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra de Mocambique, MGM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2012)

Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mocambique, FADM)

Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra de Mocambique, MGM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2012)

Military expenditures

0.8% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

registration for military service is mandatory for all males and females at 18 years of age; 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation; women may serve as officers or enlisted (2010)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability make the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center