Country report and updates: Gabon
1 Conscription
conscription exists
According to some sources, Gabon had conscription in the 1980s. [1] [2] [3]
The 6 December 1960 Law-Decree nr. 4 (published in Journal Officiel de la République du Gabon, 1 January 1961) has created the national armed forces and instituted compulsory military service. [2]
A 1997 UN report states that there is no conscription. [4]
It is unclear whether conscription is enforced and what its legal basis is.
military service
It is not known who is liable for military service and how long military service lasts for.
postponement and exemption
No information about this is available.
recruitment
According to D. Bangoura, the army "gathers, in principle every year if the financial means are sufficient, youth from all over the country to serve for a fixed term". [3]
In the country, military conscription is the largest foundation of national integration and the easiest to organise. [3]
2 Conscientious objection
There is no legal provision for conscientious objection and there is no substitute service. [1]
3 Draft evasion and desertion
Refusing to perform military service is punishable by imprisonment. [1]
No further information is available.
6 Annual statistics
The armed forces comprise 4,700 troops - more than 0.3 percent of the population. There are two paramilitary organisations: a 2,000 strong Gendarmerie and a 2,800 strong coast guard. [5]
Every year approximately 11,000 men reach conscription age. [5]
Sources
[1] Eide, A., C. Mubanga-Chipoya 1985. Conscientious objection to military service, report prepared in pursuance of resolutions 14 (XXXIV) and 1982/30 of the Sub-Commission of Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. United Nations, New York. [2] Ngari, I. Les Armées Africaines. IAES de Libreville (ed). [3] Bangoura, D. 1989. 'La contribution des Forces Armées et Securités de l'Etat Gabonais de 1967 à 1989', in: Cahier de l'IPAG nr. 8/9, December 1989. [4] UN Commission on Human Rights 1997. The question of conscientious objection to military service, report of the Secretary-General prepared pursuant to Commission resolution 1995/83. United Nations, Geneva. [5] Institute for Strategic Studies 1997. Military Balance 1997/98. ISS, London, UK.