By Hassan Saudin
The current debate on dual citizenship in Tanzania has come
to a crucial juncture now that the Constitutional Assembly has begun
deliberations on the draft constitution.
Tanzanians are eagerly following-up developments emanating
from Dodoma, particularly on issues that concern them the most, and one topic of contention that directly touches
millions Tanzanians in the diaspora is that of dual citizenship.
The basis of apprehension by those who oppose dual
citizenship ought to be acknowledged and even appreciated by supporters of dual
citizenship who must take the responsibility of addressing those concerns.
One fair question that has been thrown at the proponents of
dual citizenship is why do Tanzanians become citizens of other nations if they
truly value Tanzanian citizenship?
Acquiring citizenship of any nations comes with rights,
privileges and responsibilities. It is this broad reality that compels
Tanzanians to acquire foreign citizenship but in their minds and hearts there
is a clear conscience that that they are citizens of their native country as
well as that of the hosting nation even though this may not be the case from
legal perspective. In places like Europe or the United States, regardless of
whether an individual is a citizen of a hosting country, he or she will
normally proudly claim his/her nativity and will be recognized as such. As a
matter of fact,it is not uncommon for a people to state that they are Irish or
Italian or Scottish or Nigerian when in fact they are also US citizens or
citizens of some European countries and possibly third or fourth generation
migrants. Dual citizenship willnot diminish one’s identity as a Tanzanian; it will
instead enrich it and add to the diversity of the nation.
Just to cite one legal benefit of dual citizenship to an
individual, citizenship vs. legal residence in a country like the United States
could mean the difference between qualifying for probation vs. deportation for
the same conviction. It could mean getting government assistance in a foreign
country in times of distress vs. neglect.
National Security; The intelligence community or
psychologists have never floated any theories suggesting that citizens with
dual citizenship pose a greater threat to national security than those with a
single nationality. Obviously one does not have to be a dual citizen to blow up
buildings or sabotage infrastructure or the economy. There is absolutely no
evidence to suggest that people with dual citizenship are more susceptible to committing
treason or any acts that would jeopardize national security.
Even major powers like the United States and Canada have
policies and programs in place to attract foreigners and there is path towards full
citizenship while the immigrants maintain their original nationalities. These immigrants and their off-springs
contribute both in the private sector and in government and some go as far as
holding key public offices that require rigorous security and background
checks.
One concern of opponents is that a person with dual
nationalities can easily commit a crime in Tanzania and easily get away with it
by simply leaving the country. This could not be further from the truth because
governments around the world, particularly in the developed world, typically
have laws to prosecute their citizens even for crimes committed beyond national
borders. For example, with The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977,
an American citizen accused of corrupt practices outside the United States can
be prosecuted in the United States. Similarly, the Prosecutorial Remedies and
Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today Act (PROTECT Act) and the
Trafficking Victim's Protection Reauthorization Act. These laws carry penalties
of up to 30 years in prison for engaging in child sex tourism.
These are a few examplesto demonstrate that in the developed
countries where the majority of the Tanzanian diaspora reside there are legal tools that provide an extra layer of
disincentive for criminal practices, an extra layer that does not apply to
non-dual citizens.
Loyalty; it has been argued by opponents of dual citizenship
that dual citizenship would bring to question one’s loyalty. Loyalty must not
be equated to being blind.A good and intelligent citizen who is faithful to his
nation should never unconditionally support any government by virtue of being a
citizen, but instead one must have the political maturity to support or oppose governments
and policies on the basis of reasoning and rationale even it means taking a
position against one’s close friend or relative.
Decent human beings must be guided by principles and must be
willing to criticize their own governments if such governments have erred. An
intelligent person cannot be a blind and unconditional follower; it is this
kind of intellectual disposition that brings about positive change in a
society. In December 2013 the Washington post conducted polls that showed 66%
of Americans are opposed to government agencies collection of phone and
internet data, does this make Americans disloyal? Towards
the end of 2013 CNN television and ORC international conducted another survey
that showed 82% of American public opposed the war in Afghanistan, does it make
them less loyal Americans? Obviously not, this is democratic and political
maturity. Loyalty and patriotism must be gauged by what one does or intends to
do for his country not how many passports he legally possesses.
Those who oppose dual citizenship ought to understand that such
a stance does not improve national security; it does not prevent a member of
the diaspora community from investing in Tanzania because one can legally
invest under the names of trusted relatives. Preventing dual citizenship is
detrimental to the nation because it encourages proxy dealings and undermines
transparency. It is an open secret that Tanzanians who have legally lost their
citizenship do acquire properties in Tanzania in ways that are limited only to citizens.
They are concerned about the welfare of the nation just like other citizens and
pretty much conduct themselves like any other Tanzanian. It is time that the
reality is acknowledged, managed and given legal stature that is long overdue.
Opponents of dual citizenship ought to remember that the
diaspora community is not made up of aliens; the community is composed of your
neighbors, friends and relatives who are more than happy to invest their
resources and experiences to build Tanzania. At this very important time in the
country’s history, Tanzanians must shun from political trivialities and be on
the right side of history by embarking on a new path in which the country can take
full advantage of its people abroad, including looking into the possibility of
demanding taxes from its citizens abroad.
The diaspora community is keen on investing and contributing
to national development and is hopeful that the Constitutional Assembly will
work towards creating the right environment.
I would like to end by expressing my sincere gratitude to Minister
Bernard Membe for his unweary efforts to educate the Tanzanian public on the
importance of dual citizenship to building a stronger Tanzania.
Hassan Saudin
hsaudin@gmail.com
Wizara husika mbona hamuwanyamazishi hawa watu?! **** tumieni assets zenu kuwanyamazisha hawa watu kwa muelekeo bora wa nchi yetu.
ReplyDeleteUraia wa nchi mbili ni hatari kwa nchi yetu. Ukizingatia tuna maadui wengi kwa sasa kama Malawi na Rwanda wakituzunguka ambapo ni raisi kwao kujipenyeza na kuendelea na Espionage zao na kutuzoofisha.
Michuzi kama unaipenda Tanzania then usiiminye msg hii.
yap nahic ujumbe utawafikia walengwa.
ReplyDeleteKwendeni kulee na vingereza vyenu... alama ya kwanza ya UTANZANIA WAKO ni kuongea kiswahili kwa umma ili wote tukuelewe hivyo viingrish vyenu pelekeni huko huko kwenye nchi yenu sio BONGO, mnakela sasa, mtuachia nchi yenye watu waskini tunajitahidi kuwakomboa kwa kuwafundisha miradi na ujasiliamali na kuongeza juhudi ya kilimo nyinyi na maboksi yenu mnatuletea mambo hayana kichwa wala miguu... NJOONI HUKU MWANEROMANGO TULIME PAMOJA MIHOGO TULE PAMOJA NDIO WOTE TUTAKUWA RAIA WAMOJA.. VINGINEVYO MSITUSUMBUE... MEMBE ANAWADANGANYA KWAKUWA ANATAKA URAISI 2015. KWAHIYO YEYE KILA KITU POA TU.
ReplyDeletenaoamba mjadala huu uwe ukiandikwa kwa lugha ya Taifa ili pande zote zinufaike, wengine kama akina sisi kiingilishi hatukijui na kwa hivyo tunashindwa kuelewa kinachodiliwa
ReplyDeleteKwa kusoma maoni ya baadhi ya watu wanaopinga uraia pacha katika blog nyingi nimegundua kuwa wengi wao wanaamini kila mtanzania anaeishi nje ya Tanzania na mwenye uraia wa nchi anayoishi amefanikiwa kupata uraia huo kwa kujifanya mkimbizi wa nchi fulani jambo ambalo sio kweli.
ReplyDeletePia nimegundua wanapojadili suali hili huwa wanawaangalia na kuwaandama wale ambao wanaishi marekani na UK wameshindwa kuelewa kuwa watanzania wamezagaa nchi tele za dunia na kote huko wamechukua uraia za nchi hizo.
American, American! Why should you not consider that Tanzanian citizenship/passport holders also have Rights, Privileges and RESPONSIBILITIES.
ReplyDeleteOr because the issue here is not American passport/citizenship you can break the law by acquiring MAKARATASI and later on make noise that you have the Right of push for Dual citizenship?
Even Americans who hold more than one passport of different nationality are cautioned that once you are outside USA borders you should carefully follow the rule of law of the other country hosting country which you hold its passport.
The big question why you the Diaspora people don't want to recognize the Tanzania laws which states clearly what you have to do if you want to enter Tanzania, acquire land, employment, invest etc
You do not need to be a Tanzanian of dual citizenship to enjoy the said privileges you only have to follow the stated law to enjoy the privileges which you alleged to be denied.
So the diaspora people are very much interested to invest, find employment, acquired land then you can just follow the current immigration laws of Tanzania nad get what you are craving for without the need of Tanzanian law allowing Dual citizenship.
Mdau
Kimanzichna.
Sheria nzuri ni ile inayoakisi mila na desturi za mahali sharia itatumika yaani inavyopaswa kutafsiriwa na kuchukua mkondo wake.
ReplyDeleteNaona mleta Ndg Saudin hoja anatumia kigezo cha Marekani kama ndiyo mazingira yanavyotakiwa kuwa duniani kote iwe kitamaduni, kimila na imani. Yaani mambo ya Kimarekani ndiyo international standard na new world order.
Hilo ni kosa kubwa kwa mleta hoja. Mleta hoja anatakiwa achambue hoja hii ya dual citizenship kwa kuzingatia sheria za Tanzania zinavyoakisi mila, desturi, imani za KiTanzania na siyo za KiMarekani.
Mfano sheria ya haki za binadamu kwa Marekani inaweza ikawa inajumuisha mambo kama haki ya mahusiano ya jinsia moja, bangi ruksa, bunduki ndiyo njia ya kumaliza ubishi n.k Wakati sheria za Haki za Binadamu kwa Tanzania haziendi mpaka huko kutokana na mitizamo ya kimila, desturi, imani n.k
Wana-Diaspora wanatakiwa walete hoja zenye mtizamo na nguvu za hoja zinazozingatia maono, desturi, mila, imani za KiTanzania na siyo kila kitu Marekani, Kenya Nigeria n.k
Hivyo ndugu Hassan Saudin njoo tena na hoja halisi zenye kuzingatia Utanzania na Tanzania itafaidika vipi au itapata hasara gani kubwa kwa kuacha kuruhusu dual citizenship.
Naona ktk hoja za wana Diaspora wengi wanakuja na mitizamo ya nje kama USA, UK n.k na waopinga Dual citizenship wanakuja na maono ya KiTanzania. Na ili hoja zenu za dual citizenship ziungwe mkono na Watanzania inabidi mje na hoja za mtazamo wa Mtanzania.
Mdau
Team Pasipoti Moja
Mimi naishi Ujerumani kwa sababu ya ndoa misaka 20 sasa, lakini nia yangu yote ni kwamba nikimaliza kuona dunia, kujifunza mambo ambavo nisingeweza kujifunza vyuoni Tanzania, narudi kwetu na kuelimisha wenzangu na kufanya juu chini na sisi twende mbele.
ReplyDeleteNimeshikilia passpoti yangu ya Tanzania mpaka leo na hiyo Resident Permit ya hapa inanitosha kuhakikisha haki zangu huku zinalindwa na naishi huku bila ya tabu yeyote. Sijaona sababu hata siku moja kubadilisha paspoti yangu. Najua, kabla sijaishiwa na nguvu za kibinadam, naacha yote huku na narudi kewetu kujitolea na kutumia vipesa vyangu kuelimisha jamii. Nina heshimika, nimesoma hadi Masters na nimeongeza hapa na pale masomo mengine, naheshimika huku, na mimi na mwanangu tunakaa vizuri. Siwezi hata siku moja kuhisi kwamba maisha yangu yatakua bora zaidi nikuchukua paspoti ya huku, lakini nahisi maisha yangu yatashuka sana siku nikiikana Tanzania na kuapa mimi niko tayari kuitumikia Ujerumani. Hata siku moja, sifanya hivo! Na nimeishikilia paspoti yangu kwa sababu najua na ninatambua sheria za Tanzania kuhusu uraia. Walioapa kiapo cha uraia wa nchi zingine na kuikana Tanzania, hwana uhalisi wowote kurudishiwa paspoti zao za kitanzania. Kwani kusimama foleni na kuomba visa ni nini? 'Tanzania Tanzania, nakupenda kwa moyo wote, nchi yangu Tanzania, nilalapo nakuota we'. One passport, one nation, one allegiance! Mnaotaka mbili, mgeheshimu kwanza sheria za nyumbani. Think before you act.
Madiaspora Kumbukeni ya kuwa hapa mnapodai ni JAMHURI YA MUUNGANO MWA TANZANIA nchi yenye Msimamo wake tofauti na huko kwingine, nchi inayoenda na staili yake sio Kenya, Uganda ama Rwanda ambako wamekubali ututusa huo wa Dual Citizenship.
ReplyDeleteMtavuna mawe, ile tu mapendezo ya Katiba mmeshamwagwa, suala la DUAL CITIZENSHIP halimo.
Sasa itakuwa Bunge la Katiba?