Dual citizenship or Special Status? Tanzania again delays decision.

Tanzania  has delayed the process to grant a  special status for citizens living in the diaspora until the end next year 2024. January Makamba, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, announced this during a Tanzanian diaspora in the Netherlands. His predecessor, Stergomena Tax had proposed it for December this year.

However, in the United States, opposition leader Tundu Lissu, Vice Chairman of CHADEMA party,  appealed to the Tanzanian diaspora in North America to be united and press for full dual citizenship instead of a special status.

“Among the issues that will be given top priority is the right to inherit or bequeath property to Tanzanian diaspora members living abroad,” said Foreign Minister Makamba in Amsterdam. “With Special Status, individuals will be allowed to return home and stay for as long as they want without paying for a visa.  However, our immigration law must first be reviewed and amended to permit this return without visa charges,” stressed Minister Makamba in response to concerns raised in a speech read by a representative of the Tanzanian diaspora Union in the Netherlands, Sylvana Lubuva. , There are approximately 3,000 Tanzanians living in the Netherlands.

Tanzanians residing in the diaspora are angry over the government denying them dual citizenship, instead coming up with Special diaspora status, which they openly say, it is not worth their wishes.

The recent visit by Tundu Lissu, Mainland Vice Chairperson of opposition CHADEMA (Chama cha demokrasia na maendeleo), a main opposition Party in Tanzania, to the USA speaking to Tanzania communities, October 2023 revealed diaspora is unhappy with special diaspora status.

The tour took him to the University of Virginia, Houston Texas, Columbus Ohio, and the University of South Carolina.

At the University of Houston, Texas, Liberatus  Mwang'ombe, a human rights activist and fanatic about dual citizenship representing his salaam, told the meeting that wherever Tanzanians are in the diaspora should stand together to fight for dual citizenship, and not be lured into that ‘special diaspora status’ which has nothing to do with their ambition,  but a tactic to delay discussion on dual citizenship for no reason. "Special status is not a right but a privilege", said Mwang'ombe.

“I have come all the way from Washington DC to accompany Lissu and talk with the Houston community on democracy and our rights when back home, There is this ongoing debate about dual citizenship and Special diaspora status. The choice is clear, most of the diaspora we opt for dual citizenship", said Mwang'ombe, adding, "When your status is changed from citizenship by birth, to being a holder of special status, you lose your standard required to demand any rights in a court".

He said that in 2022 six people filed a case in the Constitutional Court contesting the Citizenship Act, especially sections that criminalize dual citizenship.  But the case was dismissed by The High Court of Tanzania, insisting they had not given up, but just to continue demanding for dual citizenship.

Emmanuel Katili, Tanzania Houston diaspora secretary had this to say, "If there is anybody thinking that to live out of the country demeans one's citizenry, today's event proves that person wrong. All of us sitting here are Tanzanians. We speak Swahili, and we eat Tanzanian foods, just to show we haven't forgotten our culture"

He said that his country has been saying to be free from tribalism, pointing fingers at some neighboring countries, but it is the very first to discriminate against its own people.

"You all know that we filed a lawsuit but was dismissed by a Tanzanian court with no basic reasons. they didn't like to hear from us, otherwise they could have given us a chance, and yet, up to date, we have not been served with court proceedings, which is important when filing intent of appeal. Our lawyer has submitted two reminders, and we have directed to file the third one", said Katili.

Then, Tundu Lissu, guest of honor appealed for a great diaspora movement to achieve their goal towards dual citizenship, saying there wasn't any rational reason for the Tanzania government to object it.

"To me and my party, it is completely irrational and doesn't make sense, it is well past due for the government to allow its children abroad to have Tanzanian nationality, with no effect on personal interests in their new respective countries," said Lissu.

Lissus said, “Having a special status won't give you political and citizenship rights. You will neither vote nor be elected. We had heard about that Special status several times during former President Kikwete's era, almost twenty years.  How many years do you need if you are serious about having law amendment?”

Double standard on dual citizenship?

"Our position will not change but to remain demanding dual citizenship. That any person with Tanzania blood, is a Tanzanian".

What Tanzania government says

The government says that the time is not ripe enough for dual citizenship as would it breed inequality,  and confusion among Tanzanians, and also would undermine the national identity  and sovereignty of the country.

Tanzania Home Affairs Minister on 15 May 2023, told the Parliament that the country's citizen status will remain as stated in the Tanzania Citizen Act  (2002) and its Regulations of 1997), citizen by birth, descent and naturalization. The then Tanzania Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Stergomena Tax, announced that people with Tanzania origin will be entitled to a special status from December 2023.

Three East African countries benefit from diaspora

East Africans in the diaspora have been remitting money back home, hence contributing to the economies of the East African  Community, In 2022, Kenya received $4.027 billion, Tanzania earned $1.1 billion and Uganda $1.1 billion according to data from the central banks.