Historical Overview of Military Personnel in Mozambique (1990-2016)

Mozambique's military personnel numbers experienced significant changes from 1990 to 2016, reflecting the country’s transition from civil conflict to peacetime. In 1990, Mozambique maintained a large military force of 65,000 personnel, a necessity during the final years of the Mozambican Civil War (1977–1992). Following the signing of the General Peace Agreement in 1992, troop numbers were reduced drastically, falling to 50,000 that year and further declining to 11,000 by 1994. This sharp reduction was part of the post-war demobilization process, as the country focused on reintegration and rebuilding efforts.

From 1995 onwards, military personnel levels stabilized between 6,000 and 14,000, reflecting Mozambique's shift to maintaining a smaller, professional military force. The fluctuations observed during the late 1990s, such as the drop to 8,000 in 1999 and subsequent increase to 11,000 by 2001, align with adjustments to align defense capabilities with national security needs and available resources. From 2005 to 2016, the personnel count consistently held steady at approximately 11,000, indicating a period of relative stability and continuity in Mozambique's defense strategy.