I would like to provide alternative point of views about the way to
frame the advantages of dual citizenship and hence contribute to the on-going
narrative about the same.
First, I would like to make it clear that I
support dual citizenship but the reasoning that have been put forward so far in
support of it just do not make sense. To
my knowledge, the proponents of dual citizenship have put forward among others,
two major points, in support of their position. That a) It will facilitate investment in
Tanzania and b) It will boost remittances of funds to Tanzania. These reasons
are very weak do not lend any credence to justify dual citizenship. I will
explain, towards the ends of this memo, my reasons why those two arguments are
weak and do not hold water and are not logical.
But
to begin with I see the following reasons to be not only stronger but and
win-win for our country and will resonate with everyone who loves and care for
our beloved Tanzania.
Stronger
points in support of dual citizenship:-
1)
It is a birth right for
Tanzanian and their descendants hence it needs to be retained.
2)
It will allow those from
Tanzania who want to and or have taken citizenship of their respective host
countries to fully participate in public office (except presidential and or
other selected executive branch posts). The
opportunity to take public office will allow for diversity of ideas, increased level
of effort and creativity on the ground right in Tanzania to address development
challenges for our country. Merit based
eligibility by those in the Diaspora to take public office includes working as technocrats
in ministries, member of parliaments, Parastatals, various agencies, regulatory
institutions, Regional and Districts posts.
3)
It will allow Tanzanians who
want to and or have taken citizenship of their respective host countries to
participate in electoral process in Tanzania (voting). One has to be a citizen to vote. The current
wave of political party branches and movement in the diaspora will be effective
and meaningful only when buttressed inclusiveness/broadening participation of
Tanzanian abroad
Weak
points in support of dual citizenship are:
1)
Remittances – An individual
sends money to their relatives because of the bond that exist between them and
relatives. Dual citizenship will never increase that bond. So I do not see how
remittances to their relative will be increased by granting dual
citizenship. Remittances back home might
be increased by Diaspora higher wages which correlates to higher savings.
Higher earnings are derived from better career and education so I encourage
Tanzanian living abroad to be strategic and create more medical doctors,
lawyers, engineers and entrepreneurs in the Diaspora.
2)
Investments – Individuals
invest back home because they have project ideas and access to finance. Those already in the Diaspora should be
capable of generating ideas for and seizing opportunities presumably they know
Tanzania quite well (they have first had knowledge) including having relatives
and networks to collaborate/partner with. I am not aware of any policy in
Tanzania that favors those with dual citizenship. Ideas and access to finance from respective
host countries can’t be enhanced by granting additional citizenship.
Legal status in their host
countries e.g. green card or other forms of residence permit and credit
worthiness will increase Diaspora ability to access cheap capital from abroad
in order to invest in Tanzania. Dual
citizenship is not a factor whatsoever in increasing the rate of
investment. We all see how foreigners
from other countries make investment into Tanzania left right and center. There is nothing that prevents them, they come,
learn about the country, get ideas, bring capital from wherever, probably
create relationship/partnerships and launch projects/businesses
Advice to Tanzanian in the Diaspora:-
It is high time Tanzanian
in the Diaspora get strategic in what they do where ever they are abroad. They should invest their time and energy in
high paying careers (potentially by educating themselves and their children),
find ways to increase their savings and actually become a power to reckon with for
Tanzania. Lets them emulate our
colleagues from Kenya, Senegal, Ghana that I have known in the UK, America and
elsewhere who always look for ways to exploit opportunities abroad to make life
better for themselves and in turn the spillover of their success is shown by
how much they invest in or send money to their respective countries.
Tanzania in Diaspora
should be more than a market/customers for products and services offerings by
banks and institutions from Tanzania. Tanzanian in the Diaspora should have
something better to offer to their mother land to the extent of being
recognized here in Tanzania. It is
therefore important that Diaspora improve on the ways it organizes itself by
thinking differently.
Thank you
The author of this memo can
be reached via email:
masalakulangwamtanganyika@gmail.com
I am writing to commend Masalakulangwa Mtanganyika on the well articulated thoughts put via the Michuzi BlogSpot. I couldn't put it any better. That I'd say is the voice of reason and echoes those of us who feel that the arguments brought forth by proponents of dual citizenship as 'Weak, Not Strategic and Uncoordinated'
ReplyDeleteI am a Tanzanian in the Diaspora and very much supports dual citizenship BUT not on the basis of the arguments presented by many in the Diaspora. If I were a member of the Warioba's committee or Bunge la Katiba, I would not be convinced by those weak and lame arguments.
The so called DICOTA leadership could have done a better coordinating job. Coming out in the last minute with a plea for funds "to emancipate & educate" members of the constitutional assembly is proof of that weakness. As a matter of fact, I feel sorry for the gentleman appointed by the President of Tanzania to represent the Diaspora in the Constitutional Assembly if all he has are 'marching orders' from DICOTA and the like, with a briefcase full of such weak arguments.
Your call is noted and I for one will join your ranks in promoting Tanzania no matter what - with or without dual citizenship - cause it is my Birth Right and no-one can take it away from me. Not now not ever! Thank you for your input.
Tanzania yenye Werevu Daima
DUAL CITIZENSHIP NO TO TANZANIA:
ReplyDeleteEach world coutnry adopted Dual Citizenship for specified reasons as examples below:
1.Israel after devastated and forced repatriatio following Nazi regime they found dispersed across the world as Israel state upon found in 1948 they were very few in number so they attracted their people from outside to come back home of motherland.
2.US- After industrial revolution they had a vaccum on shortage of skilled labor they attracted foreignors in.
3.CANADA wanted to attract capital from outside.
4.Our EAC neighbour has their need unlike us as they opened their doors to their aliens abroad (DUAL CITIZENSHIP HAS ADVATNTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES) our neihgbour chose to consider advantages of Daul Citizenship while Tanzania has differente look and chose to consider DISADVANTAGES OF DUAL CITIZENSHIP.
FOR TANZANIA:
1.CAPITAL:
We need investors who are dep pocketed and not remittance boudn senders only also we dont' intend to see an investor seek our Natinality in order to invest, this rises eye brows!
2.TECHNOLOGY:
We have un used Teknology like FLYING WITH UNGO, MSUKULE AND CHUMA ULETE still untapped by our Professors Researchers and Scientists at University of Dar Es Salaam and Muhimbili College of Health Sciences!
TANZANIA NO TO DUAL CITIZENSHIP!
Your comment is weak when you deny the benefits of investment. How do you deny the benefits of investments due to dual citizenship when your country doesn't offer an opportunity for dual citizenship?
ReplyDeleteSecond, your point is weak when you refer to remittances. Dual Citizenship does not increase remmittances but studies done in Kenya and Ghana demonstrate this. No one in the diaspora has argued that the reason for the call for dual citizenship is remmittances. Could provide evidence. Be careful when you write wrong information.
While I support dual citizenship your article does not provide us with strong arguments either
Ahsante sana Mwanakulangwa kwa kuyasemea haya. Umeelezea vizuri sana. Jambo hili muhimu na hoja zako zote nazikubali.
ReplyDeleteViongozi wa jumuia za Diaspora hawajipangi vizuri. Jambo hili muhimu litakiwa kusemewa na kupangiwa mikakati muda mrefu kabla ya bunge hili.
Binafsi nashangaa hatua zinazochukuliwa sasa hivi za kuchangisha pesa watu. Hakuna maelezo kamili na details za kutosha za namna uhamisishaji huo utafanyika.
Ninavyo fahamu jambo hili linaweza kudhaminiwa na International Office for Migration (IOM) na gharama zote kulipiwa kinachotakiwa ni proposal tu kupelekwa. Kwanza IOM walisha fanya warsha Dar es Salaam kwa jambo hili hivyo pengine kilichotakiwa ni kuwapa mrejesho wa jinsi gani na wapi seminar hii ielekezwe.
Excellent analysis
ReplyDeleteMasalakulangwaMtanganyika: tusemage ukweli, tatizo letu wa TZ hatuna moyo wa umoja na tunapenda kuongea sana(porojo). Lakini vitendo ni vichache. Dicota wameliongelea ili jambo sana USA, kwenye vya habari vingi vya Watanzania ulimwnegu mzima(sana hapa Michuzi). Siilewi kama wewe ni Mdiaspora huko wapi kana kwamba ulishindwa kuwasiliana nao kwa simu, e-mail, au hapa kuwasilisha duku duku lako mapema. Sasa huu ndio naita unafiki na wakuchanganya watu. Mie sijali kuhusu uraia pacha lakini nawapa sapoti pale watu wanapo buni kitu na kukifanya kwa vitendo na si kuwakatisha tamaa. Na kamaa mtu hauna maoni ya maana, siyo lazima uongee.
ReplyDeletePili, sababu ulizotoa wewe, ni moja tu ya sababu kibao wamezitoa kwenye hii mitandao na vyombo kibao vya habari. Hizo sababu mbili,1.) Kuwekeza na 2.)kupeleka hela nyumbani ni point nzuri tu kwani zimefanyiwa utafiti na mifano yake ipo kwenye mataifa mengi mingine.
Tatu, nahisi labda si watu wa Ughaibuni wanaandika haya, bali ni watu wasiotakia mema ili swala la uraia pacha, wanaandika ili kuleta michanganyo. Wabongo tuache roho mbaya na fitina bila sababu. Tufikirie kwa makini vitu vitakavyotupa maendeleo hata kiduchu, nina uhakika kabisa hao jamaa(wabeba maboksi) mnao wa dharau ni faida kwa TZ na si vinginevyo, kisomo ni kuangalia mataifa mengine yamefaidika vipi.
Kusema kweli, sina uhusiano wowote na Dicota, lakini nawajua ni wachapa kazi sana na vikwazo vinavyowatokea, ni mala ya kwanza kwa suala ili la uraia pacha(na katiba mpya)na wenyewe inabidi wabadilike kufuatana na kinachowakabili mbele ya uso wao.
Ulichokiandika ni very shallow na weak, ndio maana hawa jamaa wamepata pa kukubana na kukpinga kama mnaotetea suala hili hamna pointi. Kama uwezi kuandika vizuri tafadhali usituharibie. Maji usiyoweza kuayaoga usiyavulie nguo. Inaonekana wewe umetoka tu chuoni maana hata ulivyoiandika ni kama essay ya shule. Pointi zako sio nzito. Pamoja na hayo mimi ni supporter wa uraia pacha.
ReplyDeletemasalakulangwamtangayika, your analyzes is clear and well say.
ReplyDeletemdau holland.