Jason Mtolela
Dual
citizenship was envisioned by the diaspora in economic context. It was
unbelievably saddening that no sooner was the stunning rejection of dual
citizenship by the United Republic of Tanzania Government was announced, some
diaspora residents hailed it; whereas it should has been received with a somber
mood. To many in the diaspora, this decision was a slap in the face, painful
indeed, and left them wondering whether this crucial matter will one day be put
again on the front burner.
Another
sentiment in the diaspora was that, the decision was viewed either very harsh,
or punitive, because the matter could not even be given an opportunity to be taken
to the parliament floor for debate. The government killed this proposal on
arrival under the pretext of national security and patriotism (uzalendo). The
officials from the Department of Immigration in The Ministry of Home Affairs
argued that by allowing dual citizenship, the national security could be at
risk and compromised. They also doubted whether Tanzanians residing in the
diaspora still love their country. However, these officials never discussed
about the highly palpable economic benefits of dual citizenship to the diaspora
and the nation at large.
Most
of people live in the diaspora because of economic reasons; they are not
political refugees, and never engaged in any malicious activities that could
pose a security threat to our country. There might be isolated cases of
security challenges from some individuals; nevertheless, this should not have
been premises to close the door to this opportunity for everyone. Security
issue should have been addressed on individual basis.
One
diaspora resident once told me that, he was making 300,000/ Tanzanian shillings
gross income-before tax monthly back home. It was very hard to keep up with
financial up keep. But now he is making US$2500.00 (almost 4,000,000.00Tshs)
after tax monthly. It has made a huge difference in the lives of his family, he
said. There are thousands of people like him in the diaspora.
The
aforementioned example brings us to the issue of patriotism. Most of the
income-money from the diaspora is transferred back to Tanzania for supporting extended
family members and to be injected in economic development projects for future economic
sustainability for the diaspora and the nation respectively. If patriotism
means to love your country, then nobody would dare to question the diaspora's
love for their country. Subsequent to the defeat of dual citizenship proposal,
many in the diaspora are rethinking as to what will be a viable economic
approach to pursue interims of investments.
"American
Dream", is a common saying in the United States, meaning that, this
country has a lot of economic opportunities, and that if you work hard, a
native or a foreigner, there is a prospect for economic success. This is the
same dream the diaspora is trying to achieve. Investing back in our homeland
has been on the top priorities of the diaspora and that is when dual
citizenship comes into play. The Tanzanian Land Act, for example, states that
landownership is strictly for a citizen; in the United States, you do not need to
be a citizen to own a land. These are some of the issues that could be resolved
with the passage of the dual citizenship. The rejection of it has left many in
the diaspora at the cross road.
The
reality indicates that the diaspora is substantially contributing to the
motherland economic development. Our government should put politics aside and
give this proposal another opportunity to be meticulously examined by the
Tanzanians for the benefit of the country. The diaspora should not be looked at
as a liability but a valuable asset for our economic development
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