Morocco Makes Military Service Optional for Women and Expats, Mandatory for Men

In an intervention before the parliamentary commission cited by the website telquel.ma, Loudiyi specified that compulsory military service will be effective from September 2019 with the enrollment of a maximum of 10,000 young people that the army can currently absorb.

The minister also responded to certain fears and stated that young people wishing to serve the army will be given priority.

The compulsory nature of military service will ultimately be diluted by the many exceptions that are added to the actual capacity of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), which means that many young people of conscription age will be left out.

Announced on August 21, the draft law provides for a mandatory 12-month service for 19 to 25 year olds, except for students or those with family obligations. The payment of a salary to the new recruits is planned, as well as fines and a sentence of up to three months for those who refuse to perform their service.