DUAL CITIZENSHIP IN TANZANIA
Fueling into different parts by enormous and, in its history, unprecedented numbers of Tanzanian abroad are becoming more dramatically diverse in bringing Dual Citizenship on session table in Dodoma without combined efforts of hope to gain Members of Parliament voices.
Pursuant to all calls, efforts and hexagonal meetings made, a chance is narrow to overcome the spirit of Tanzanian people regarding Dual Citizenship issue that is on the table at the present time in Dodoma. Lack of understanding is a key of pro rata temporis senses to the Members of Parliament not to have the issue pass in this debate, therefore all parties concerned should discuss commonly the following:
At its most basic level, dual Citizenship involves the simultaneous holding of more than one citizenship or nationality. That is, a person can have each, or many, of the rights and responsibilities that adhere to a citizen in all the countries in which he or she is a citizen, regardless of length of time or actual residence in a country, geographical proximity, or the nature of his or her economic, cultural, or political ties. The idea seems on its face counterintuitive. How could a person owe allegiance or fully adhere to the responsibilities of citizenship in several countries at the same time? This question is confusing Tanzania People both inside and outside the country. But the answer to this question is easily. A tangible example will be given on United State of America which does not formally recognize dual citizenship, but neither does it take any stand politically or legally. An American citizen can’t lose his or her citizenship by undertaking the responsibilities of citizenship in one or more other counties. This is true even if those responsibilities include obtaining a second or even a third citizenship, swearing allegiance to a foreign state, voting in another country’s election, serving in the armed forces or the state is hostile to United States of America, running for office, and if successful, serving. Seems as conflicting issue, yet to date it has chosen not to suggest any change. So taking an oath of allegiance to another country as Tanzanian born can’t be taken as firm evidence of intent to give up Tanzanian citizenry, even if that oath includes a renunciation of Tanzania citizenship as to what the assumptions previously applied as to those leaving abroad are treasonous against Tanzania. In most countries including United States of America a person may acquire multiple citizenships in so many ways.
WHAT IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CITIZENSHIP AND NATIONALITY?
Dual or multiple citizenships is not the same as dual nationality. Citizenship is a political term. It draws its importance from political, economic, and social rights and obligations that adherer to a person by virtue of having been born into, or having become a recognized or certified member of, a state.
Nationality, on one the other hand, refers primarily to the attachments of members of a community to each other and to and to the community’s ways of viewing the world, practices, institutions, and allegiances. Common community identifications develop through several or more of the following elements: language, racial identifications, ethnicity, religion, culture, geography, history experience, and identification with common institutions and practices. In many culturally homogenous countries nationality and citizenship coincide, yet they are not synonymous. To my knowledge, an individual’s national identity is not necessarily the same as the passport she holds. This, of course, is precisely the problem confluence by so many countries including Tanzania. Indeed, national identity is more exploration of individual’s old parents.
More to come …..
MASUDI MAFTAH
International Relations & Diplomacy