Although the current rainy season has been good over most of Mozambique, in these districts there is drought. Even at the standpipes built in villages to expand water supply, little or no water is currently available. An AIM reporter visited Namapa, and found long lines of women and children carrying empty containers in search of water. The reporter was told that some of them came from as far as 10 kilometres away, and that even so they were not sure of obtaining the water they need because lengthy queues are building up at wells. In the first two days the recruitment centre in Urban District number one, in the heart of the city, had registered just 35 people.
Registration is the first stage in conscription.
All Mozambican citizens whose 18th birthday falls in 1999, are supposed to register before 28 February. The army then makes a first selection of potential recruits from those registered, and submits them to physical and psychological aptitude tests. Out of those declared fit, a final selection will then be made of those to be called up. The authorities say they are not worried by the initial slow turnout. Other factors he mentioned were school enrolment, and certain school exams which coincide with the start of the registration period.