Why Cameroon Should allow Dual Citizenship

The Benefits of a Country Allowing Dual Citizenship

Also known as dual nationality, dual citizenship means being a citizen of two countries simultaneously. Each infers certain benefits and responsibilities that would normally extend to a citizen of each of the individual countries. While many countries allow their nationals to hold dual citizenship, some don’t. Examples are Congo, Ethiopia, and Cameroon. According to Article 31 of the Cameroonian Nationality Code (1968), a Cameroonian of majority age (21 years old) who acquires or voluntarily keeps foreign citizenship is subject to the loss of their Cameroonian nationality. Similar laws are common in other countries where dual nationality is not recognized. The argument for their stance is to avoid divided loyalties. While this could be a plausible reason, there are many advantages of allowing dual citizenship that far outweigh any possible disadvantages.

Benefits of Allowing Dual Citizenship

1. Economic Benefit

Allowing dual citizenship can be economically beneficial to beneficiaries and their counties of origin. For instance, there are certain economic endeavors, such as owning properties, starting a business, and working in some sensitive sectors, that are strictly tied to citizenship in one’s host country. Many foreign-born individuals have leveraged this to build wealth for themselves while at the same time benefitting their country of origin through foreign remittances and other means.

A recent World Bank report says recorded remittance flows to low and middle income (which in most cases is from developed to developing countries) are expected to reach $630 billion this year. While people on other statuses like permanent and temporary residency contribute hugely to foreign remittances, obtaining dual citizenship largely improves such chances.

2. National Development

Many countries have harnessed the provision for dual citizenship to develop various facets of their national life. For instance, citizenship by investment, which allows foreign investors to obtain citizenship in exchange for investment, has brought rapid development to many countries. Entrepreneursthereby enjoy both global business expansion and full citizenship, while their host countries, in turn, benefit from employment creation and improved economy, which impact their overall development.

3. Social Integration

Allowing dual citizenship can foster and increase partnerships and socio-integration between different countries as people with multiple nationalities often maintain strong ties to their country of origin while also contributing to the growth of their second nationality. The rich cultural heritage acquired from both countries can positively rub off on these respective countries.

4. It Can Be a Game Changer for African Countries

Provision for dual citizenship is usually a plus for any country, but this can be much more beneficial to African countries, especially with the recent global events like the perceived increase in racism, oppression, and violence in many developed countries. The United States has the second largest black population (46.4 million), following Brazil with 55.9 million. In an attempt to escape from the rising problems in the US, many African Americans have shifted their attention to Africa, exploring it for a chance to reconnect with their cultural heritage and bolster economic advancement.

Immigration program like the right of abode in Ghana or the program Sierra Leone has with African Ancestrty has given many black Americans the opportunity to settle down and travel in and out of the continent. More attractive initiatives like this can help encourage more blacks of foreign nationals to explore Africa for investment opportunities and cultural integration, especially if they don’t have to give up their first citizenship to settle and obtain citizenship in African countries of their choice. According to the Brookings Institute, Africa would boast of 6.7 trillion of combined consumer and business spending by 2030 as it would be home to 1.7 billion people. Prospects like this can be harnessed to welcome foreign investors who are willing to migrate and fully settle in Africa, which could, in turn, turn around the continent's fortune.

Conclusion

The debate on whether governments should allow dual citizenship has been on for ages. While it is difficult to wish away the concerns of divided loyalties raised by its opponents, many developed countries have harnessed it for socio-economic growth and sustainability. This shows that allowing dual nationality can be tapped for human resources growth and unlock many potentials if well implemented.

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