It is often at election time when questions around nationality come to the fore – when the meaning of citizenship is challenged in its fullest sense of the right to participate in public affairs of a country. There are many well-known cases of politicians whose right to nationality in the country where they wish to stand for office has been brought into question. Some of these have been litigated up to the level of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, but less-well known cases arise with almost every election. Elections also see regular assertions that certain groups of potential voters have been registered to vote even though they are not citizens.
The Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa has asked the Federal High Court Abuja to disqualify the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar from contesting the Feb. 16 presidential election. The group wants Atiku disqualified…
By Biola Adebayo Nnamdi Kanu, the fugitive leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra has stirred new dust with his latest claim that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar is a Cameroonian. Atiku was born…
By Bronwen Manby Abstract: This report discusses citizenship in Zimbabwe. It explores the history of citizenship in this country, modes of acquisition and loss, and current debates and reform plans regarding citizenship policy. Download from Global Citizenship Observatory (European University…
Par Franck Foute – à Yaoundé Les leaders de l’autoproclamée république d’Ambazonie arrêtés au Nigeria le 5 janvier 2018 ont pris part à la deuxième audience dans l’affaire qui les oppose à l’État du Cameroun. Leur procès, marqué par un…
By Hillary Orinde Politician Miguna Miguna is a Kenyan citizen, High Court has ruled. Justice Chacha Mwita on Friday ruled that his birthright is not affected by him holding a Canadian passport. He added that Miguna’s rights were violated when…
By MAUREEN KAKAH A Kenyan court has awarded opposition firebrand Dr Miguna Miguna Ksh7 million ($70,000) as compensation for the violation of his rights during his deportation to Canada. In the ruling on Friday, High Court Judge Enoch Chacha Mwita…
MONROVIA – Her US citizenship has been an issue of discussion since she was announced Liberia’s Ambassador-designate to the United States and later the United Kingdom. Report by Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com Reports say her nomination as Liberia’s ambassador to the US was…
Bronwen Manby takes us through her new book Citizenship in Africa: The Law of Belonging. In an important contribution to the literature on statehood, citizenship and identity in Africa, this piece highlights the importance of formal legal frameworks and contests over citizenship…
By Bronwen Manby Citizenship in Africa provides a comprehensive exploration of nationality laws in Africa, placing them in their theoretical and historical context. It offers the first serious attempt to analyse the impact of nationality law on politics and society…
By Feyi Fawehinmi I was never a fan of the now former Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun. I’m also not a fan of the NYSC programme – as I wrote here in December 2016, the programme is an immoral and unfair…