Conscription in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Conscription in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is legal according to provisions in the current Constitution of the DRC, and formerly the Constitution of Zaire adopted in 1964. Although mandatory military service is not in effect in the DRC currently, many rebel groups and the Armed Forces have forced youths into service, including child soldiers.
In Article 63 of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it states that "All Congolese have the sacred right and duty to defend the country and its territorial integrity in the face of an external threat or aggression" and that "a compulsory military service may be established under the conditions prescribed by law."[1] Previously, under the government of Mobutu Sese Seko, Article 30 of the Constitution of Zaire stated "All Zairians who become 18 are liable for military service; this may be replaced by a civilian service on conditions set out by law."[2]