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Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Malawi

REPUBLIC OF MALAWI

Mainly covers the period June 1998 to April 2001 as well as including some earlier information.

• Population:
  – total: 10,640,000
  – under-18s: 5,738,000
• Government armed forces:
  – active: 5,000
  – paramilitary: 1,000
• Compulsory recruitment age: no conscription
• Voluntary recruitment age: 18
• Voting age in government elections: 18
• Child soldiers: none indicated
• CRC-OP-CAC: signed on 7 September 2000; supports "straight-18" position
• Other treaties ratified: CRC; GC/API+II; ILO 182

• There are no indications of under-18s in government armed forces.

GOVERNMENT

National Recruitment Legislation and Practice

In time of public emergency, the National Service Act provides that every citizen between the ages of 18 and 60 may be called for national service. Recruitment into the armed forces is currently on a voluntary basis and the minimum age is 18.¹¹⁷⁶

DEVELOPMENTS

International Standards

Malawi signed the CRC-OP-CAC on 7 September 2000 and supports a "straight-18" position.

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1176 Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit.

Topics: Child soldiers, Military service,