Eleven years after abolishing it, Morocco decided to restore compulsory military service to include men and women between the ages of 19 and 25, a decision that Moroccan authorities say is being brought back to promote patriotism.
On Monday, the country’s ministerial council approved the draft law, which stipulates that men and women should serve a year in the army, navy or air force.
The council is chaired by King Mohammed VI, who is also the supreme commander and chief of general staff of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces
The draft law, which will enter into force once it is published in the official bulletin, will set out exemptions and the rights and responsibilities of military service participants.
According to the decree, the national military training aims to enable youth to “contribute effectively and in all circumstances to the defense of their homeland.”
The council said it also has the objective "to strengthen the sense of citizenship among young people.”
Refusal to serve is punishable by up to 3 months in prison and a fine.
In 1999, Morocco had reduced the length of service to 12 months. But in 2007, King Mohammed VI abolished mandatory military service.
At the time, analysts said the government’s decision was due to fears that terrorist groups would use the military service to infiltrate the Moroccan Army and allow its militants to be trained.
After the council meeting, the King delivered a televised speech urging the government to do more to curb unemployment and improve the educational system and vocational training.
“We cannot let our education system continue to produce unemployed people, especially in certain branches of study, where graduates - as everyone knows - find it extremely hard to access the job market,” he said.
