IN
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, qualifications, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
MOHAMED MATOPE IS A CONTRIBUTOR BLOGGER AND
SYNDICATED COLOMNIST FOR VARIOUS AFRICA’S MAGAZINES.
13 comments:
Thank Mr.Mohammed this is educating!!!
Glad to see Prof.Matope putting fresh on the bones to the argument that the diaspora contributes more than we take from mother TanzaniaI have made this point several times elsewhere )that indeed we can contribute even MORE if we are allowed to!!! ( in terms of technological transfer and Capital . Tanzania's dual citizenship argument is much more nuanced than the simplistic nonsense we got old politicians
I believe we in the diaspora can start by organising ourselves into a powerful block(collectively we earn billions of dollars per year) . With a bit of organisation, Financial clout and technological know-how.. NO Tanzania government will DARE to ignore us let alone insult us.
Matope, I presume you are trying to answer some of the issues raised by our politicians in the constitution assembly.
I can advise you to ignore the ignorance that was exhibited by the big those people. Your article is full of valid arguments that can be used to debunk his juvenile presumptions about nationality but unfortunately the current political circumstances mean that the leadership is impervious to reasoning as they all have to appear to agree with the fewer sentiment . ‘wanataka kul huku na kule’ as they call it.
My own opinion is that there will be many people who agree with you but nothing substantive will ever take place until people stop jostling for government jobs through appeasing the current leadership.
In short the political landscape has to shift before common sense starts to seep in.
This article made me cry ,because it hit be like hummer and nail,it really touched my personal story.Am a Tanzania living in Sweden. Ja!!! the issue of dual citizenship should be a straight forward issue. Sweden allows dual citizenship. Let me tell you that Sweden is one of the careful countries in terms of changing there rules, if dual citizenship was something which could bring about problems, then Sweden would have not allowed it. Just en example Swedish people refused to change their currency, the krona to Euro, because they knew it was not safe. That was just en example.
Am still holding my Tanznian citizenship, but because of this am very much restricted to invest in my country unless i decide to settle back in Tanzania. That will not give me enough income/capital either. If i hard dual citizenship, this would allowed me to invest in my country at a large scale than i do now. Allowing me to create jobs for both high and less educated Tanzanian men and women.
I have been coming to Tanzania every year and each time i have been harassed by those immigration people at the airport to find out if i have 2 passports so they can take bribes. Dual citizenship will clear out this type of behavior among those immigration workers at the airport.
I have seen a number of unfinished houses big houses i can say, in the area i have my investment, and hear stories to say the owner was staying in USA but he passed away, so the relatives can not finish the building because of money problems. When one who is abroad is building it is not the idea of himself and the wife but it is for the sake of the children to take over. Yes if Tanzania could allow dual citizenship, of course the children would have freedom of coming back to their roots and finish what the parents have left even if they are dead the project could go forward. THAT IS DEVELOPMENT.
I have children born in Tanzania. These children have the heart for both to be Swedish and Tanzania and definitely will like to be able to come back to Tanzania after finishing there education but since Tanzania do not allow dual citizenship, they will not be allowed to settle in there mother land. We are now living in the modern world where we want to see change, economic development and of course why not move forward like those in developed countries. I am sure the government of KIKWETE will change this. Am looking forward.
MAtope i hope everyone has some thought like you of articulating your argument by tackling each issue clearly without insulting anyone.Unfortunately we don't have that kind of civility in our political discourse.Our parliament is full of ignorance,some MPs are arguing against dual citizenship without even knowing what Dual citizenship is really means. I am so glad that you smashed these non sense arguments against dual citizenship with clear cut ,valid coherent arguments,in a way you exposed those anti-Dual citizenship zealots stupidity.
It is an idea which time has come. Imagine the impact when Tanzanians in the US and all over the world hesitate to make money transfers and foreign remittances home. Their choices should also be respected.
MATOPE: I have never seen such a coherent articulation of arguments before, good job.I am sure probably you will receive a lot of insults out of this, couse that’s how our people reacts when they are exposed of their ignorance. To say that dual citizenship will only lead to split loyalties and conflict of interest is preposterous. Wake up Tanzania! The Tanzania’s economy is incredibly weak and so I believe that anyone who returns to tanzania, does so out of genuine love for their country. We tanzanians should get out of the mentality that those living abroad are not capable of being potential assets to this country. If we continue treating such fellow Tanzanian with disdain, we will end up shying away young, talented, ambitious individuals who dream of returning to serve their country one day. (I should know. Sadly, I have been a victim of this very mentality.)-Marcia Mtei
Kwa nyongeza Mfano hapo Kenya wao wemeweka bayana kuwa ndio wana ruhusu urai pacha lakini"Mtu mwenye urai pacha hawezi kuajiriwa serikalini au jeshini. which make sense.
Vile vile hao majirani wetu wahaoruhusu urai pacha (Kenya,Uganda,Rwanda,Burundi)Hawaja wahi kuingia kwenye matatizo yalio sababishwa na wao kuruhusu urai pacha.
My thought is, we are lacking an effective leaders(Politicians), who are not consider long-term development and success of our country may come in different angle.It is a simple rules, why every countries in the world they do it? Why not Tanzania?
Ndugu yangu Matope I know you for long time since your at school for talented kids (mzumbe-morogoro ya enzi zile)
I will tell you why suala na urai pacha hapa TZ ni sawa na kikimbizana na upepo.
Wanasiasa wabongo (chama tawala)wanalitumia jambo hili kama fimbo ya kuwa-kusanya na kuwaduwaza watanzania waliipo inje kwenye zizi lao .
Kama umeisha kufuatilia inapokaribia wakati wa uchaguzi ndipo utawasikia kakiliongelea kwa bidii kubwa kanakwamba they are working on the issue so hard,after election every thing remain silence.
Wanafanya hinyo ili kuwapumbanza watanzania waiopo inje wasije wakaanza kwa nguvu to support opposition,kwani kuna nyama hapa bongo suala la urai pacha limo kwenye ilani nzao. Ikisema wazi kuwa "hakuna mtanzania wa kuzaliwa atakaye poteza urai wake kwa njia yoyote hata kama akimua kuwa na urai wa nchi nyengine".
Could someone tell me what ilani ya chama tawala said about urai pacha.
My friend hii Serikali yetu ya sasa will not make dua citizenship happed, they use this issue for their own advantage.
But tusisahau kuwa "hakuna marefu yasio na ncha."
Thanks.
A lot has been said in favor of dual citizenship for long time. But the decision makers will not really understand. Most have no experience of living in foreign lands and giving up native bond.
An incredible article. I concur with you. Dual citizenship is paramount for the country and diaspora. I think these individuals will bring skills, education and talent to our nation which we need to enhance our economy. Unfortunately, I doubt that these politicians will implement this bill because the majority of them are not open minded. They are too scared for change because they have been doing the same thing for over five decades. Until those leaders get impeached from the office we will always encounter with same complications.
I concur with you. Dual citizenship is paramount for the country and diaspora. I think these individuals will bring skills, education and talent to our nation which we need to enhance our economy. Unfortunately, I doubt that these politicians will implement this bill because the majority of them are not open minded. They are too scared for change because they have been doing the same thing for over five decades. Until those leaders get impeached from the office we will always encounter with same complications.
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