IN TANZANIA; DUAL CITIZENSHIP OPPONENTS LACK DICENT ARGUMENTS.
BY MOHAMED
MATOPE
As I closely
follow the debate over the constitution amendment in Dodoma, I find myself more prideful of my
politicians than ever before. Though prideful, the question still remains: Why
did it take so long?
follow the debate over the constitution amendment in Dodoma, I find myself more prideful of my
politicians than ever before. Though prideful, the question still remains: Why
did it take so long?
Well,
earlier last month, constituent assembly ware granted a power to reshape the
constitution draft as well as adding issues that were left out in the previous
draft.
earlier last month, constituent assembly ware granted a power to reshape the
constitution draft as well as adding issues that were left out in the previous
draft.
Though the
extent of that authority lacks specification, this does serve as a propellant
into the right direction, given it provides a posssibility of inclusion of a dual
citizenship clause.
extent of that authority lacks specification, this does serve as a propellant
into the right direction, given it provides a posssibility of inclusion of a dual
citizenship clause.
My stance on
this issue should not be mistaken, winning the political battle over dual
citizenship is immensely important to me. As a Diaspora’s member and a person
who believes in progressive values, this debate attests that our country is
slowly, but assuredly, advancing toward equal human rights.I would much
rather have the referendum passed in 2014 than never have it passed at all. I
also understand that it has faced a pretty staunch political fight up until
this point, but I don’t really understand why.
this issue should not be mistaken, winning the political battle over dual
citizenship is immensely important to me. As a Diaspora’s member and a person
who believes in progressive values, this debate attests that our country is
slowly, but assuredly, advancing toward equal human rights.I would much
rather have the referendum passed in 2014 than never have it passed at all. I
also understand that it has faced a pretty staunch political fight up until
this point, but I don’t really understand why.
If one
person could articulate to me a coherent reason why Tanzania should not have dual
citizenship, I would surely listen to what they had to say out of pure
curiosity. The problem is, though, that none of them have remotely convinced me
of the rationality of their opposition. The first,
and most common, argument I hear against dual citizenship derives its basis on
the value of loyalty. That is,
dual citizenship implies split loyalty and one can never be truly loyal to two
countries.
person could articulate to me a coherent reason why Tanzania should not have dual
citizenship, I would surely listen to what they had to say out of pure
curiosity. The problem is, though, that none of them have remotely convinced me
of the rationality of their opposition. The first,
and most common, argument I hear against dual citizenship derives its basis on
the value of loyalty. That is,
dual citizenship implies split loyalty and one can never be truly loyal to two
countries.
This
argument is always something of a convenient fiction. To begin, there are
numerous benefits to our country, such as in the realm of global
competitiveness, when dual citizenship is embraced. It is not an accident that
many countries including, our neighbors Kenya,
Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda have adopted dual
citizenship laws.
argument is always something of a convenient fiction. To begin, there are
numerous benefits to our country, such as in the realm of global
competitiveness, when dual citizenship is embraced. It is not an accident that
many countries including, our neighbors Kenya,
Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda have adopted dual
citizenship laws.
In response
to those claiming it is unpatriotic (uzalendo) to have more than one passport; it
is, after all, unrealistic to approach a debate over the dual citizenship through
the lens of nationalism. Dual citizenship should be viewed as an opportunity to
take advantage of the vast talents, ualifications, skills, expertise and
experiences of our unrecognized nationals in Diaspora. Other, more logical, arguments
against dual citizenship exist, but nonetheless, are not without fault. For
example, many opponents of dual citizenship claim it will lead to an influx of
Tanzanians coming home to take jobs (kula huku na kule).
to those claiming it is unpatriotic (uzalendo) to have more than one passport; it
is, after all, unrealistic to approach a debate over the dual citizenship through
the lens of nationalism. Dual citizenship should be viewed as an opportunity to
take advantage of the vast talents, ualifications, skills, expertise and
experiences of our unrecognized nationals in Diaspora. Other, more logical, arguments
against dual citizenship exist, but nonetheless, are not without fault. For
example, many opponents of dual citizenship claim it will lead to an influx of
Tanzanians coming home to take jobs (kula huku na kule).
This
argument is unfair, considering that the Tanzanians in
the Diaspora have also made homes in their new countries. Some have housing
payments, debts, school age children or college age children that they are
still obligated to. Dual citizenship will mostly
provide the opportunity for some Tanzanians in the Diaspora to travel
home
without harassment, to own home, to start a project, conduct research
and above
all, be able to participate in the growth of our country. One of the
absolute worst, and
irrational arguments on this issue, is that dual citizenship gives
leeway for nationals in the Diaspora to take over political positions.
I am astonished that this is actually being considered a pragmatic
argument.
argument is unfair, considering that the Tanzanians in
the Diaspora have also made homes in their new countries. Some have housing
payments, debts, school age children or college age children that they are
still obligated to. Dual citizenship will mostly
provide the opportunity for some Tanzanians in the Diaspora to travel
home
without harassment, to own home, to start a project, conduct research
and above
all, be able to participate in the growth of our country. One of the
absolute worst, and
irrational arguments on this issue, is that dual citizenship gives
leeway for nationals in the Diaspora to take over political positions.
I am astonished that this is actually being considered a pragmatic
argument.
First and
foremost, these individuals need to understand that, under the dual citizenship laws Tanzania’s government will reserve
its right to decide what type of restrictions it wants to impose on dual citizens.
foremost, these individuals need to understand that, under the dual citizenship laws Tanzania’s government will reserve
its right to decide what type of restrictions it wants to impose on dual citizens.
Furthermore, many countries
restrict dual citizens from running for specified
offices such as the office of President and Vice-President. And, in some
instances, other countries have established a residential requirement. In Nigeria, for
instance, the law requires a person to live in the country for 3-10 years
before he/she can qualify to run for any office. Ideologically, some people may
never wish to acknowledge and accept the realities of the changing world, even
in the height of fact -based evidences.
restrict dual citizens from running for specified
offices such as the office of President and Vice-President. And, in some
instances, other countries have established a residential requirement. In Nigeria, for
instance, the law requires a person to live in the country for 3-10 years
before he/she can qualify to run for any office. Ideologically, some people may
never wish to acknowledge and accept the realities of the changing world, even
in the height of fact -based evidences.
But by denying Tanzanians in the Diaspora the right to have
dual citizenship, we are not only denying them a constitution right, but also specific rights
that would otherwise be guaranteed to all Tanzanians, whether it is permission to enter or leave a country, as often as they wish,
or be it purchasing a home and business.
dual citizenship, we are not only denying them a constitution right, but also specific rights
that would otherwise be guaranteed to all Tanzanians, whether it is permission to enter or leave a country, as often as they wish,
or be it purchasing a home and business.
To withhold these rights, on the
basis of unsubstantiated arguments, is an affront to humanity. I commend
Tanzania’s Constitution Assembly, for realizing a problem and making efforts to
mend it, but why is it taking so long for the 77 percent of Tanzanians, who are
in favor of dual citizenship (according to the polls) to bring the matter onto
the ballots? The End. March 8 2014
basis of unsubstantiated arguments, is an affront to humanity. I commend
Tanzania’s Constitution Assembly, for realizing a problem and making efforts to
mend it, but why is it taking so long for the 77 percent of Tanzanians, who are
in favor of dual citizenship (according to the polls) to bring the matter onto
the ballots? The End. March 8 2014
MOHAMED
MATOPE IS A CONTRIBUTOR BLOGGER AND SYNDICATED COLOMNIST FOR VARIOUS AFRICA’S MAGAZINES.
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