Author Archives for Bronwen Manby

Hell Affairs – a South African was stuck in limbo for four years trying to prove her identity and citizenship

March 21, 2023 7:35 am Published by Comments Off on Hell Affairs – a South African was stuck in limbo for four years trying to prove her identity and citizenship

By Dianne Hawker A mother of three had her ID blocked by Home Affairs – leaving her in anguish, and unable to live a normal life. Expensively obtained affidavits, letters and a DNA test left officials unmoved about the lack […]


Ghana: Electoral Commission faces resistance over new voter registration requirement

March 14, 2023 7:26 am Published by Comments Off on Ghana: Electoral Commission faces resistance over new voter registration requirement

By Jonas Nyabor Ahead of Ghana’s crucial general elections in 2024, the electoral commission is proposing a constitutional change that will make a controversial national identity card the sole document for confirming one’s nationality and age to register as a […]


Egypt: Dissidents Abroad Denied Identity Documents

March 13, 2023 2:53 pm Published by Comments Off on Egypt: Dissidents Abroad Denied Identity Documents

(Beirut) – The Egyptian authorities in recent years have systematically refused to provide or renew the identity documents of dozens of dissidents, journalists, and human rights activists living abroad, Human Rights Watch said today. The refusal is apparently intended to […]


Somalia set to introduce National ID cards after over three decades

March 12, 2023 1:16 pm Published by Comments Off on Somalia set to introduce National ID cards after over three decades

MOGADISHU, Somalia – For the first time in three decades, Somalia is set to start rolling out the issuance of National Identification cards, as the country rolls out massive registration in what  could allow authorities to easily identify citizens and […]


141 000 people are ‘stateless’ in Namibia

March 9, 2023 5:24 pm Published by Comments Off on 141 000 people are ‘stateless’ in Namibia

by Eino Vatileni THE Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security is drafting a bill to deal with the plight of 141 084 stateless people in Namibia who are undocumented. The ministry’s spokesperson, Margaret Kalo, told The Namibian yesterday […]


Egypt: Thirsty for dollars, government eases citizenship terms for foreigners

March 8, 2023 3:05 pm Published by Comments Off on Egypt: Thirsty for dollars, government eases citizenship terms for foreigners

Egypt has eased its citizenship restrictions for foreigners, as the country struggles to secure enough US dollars to import food for its people and repay its accumulating debts. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly issued Decree no. 876/2023, reducing the […]


Background Note on Gender Equality, Nationality Laws and Statelessness 2023

March 7, 2023 3:24 pm Published by Comments Off on Background Note on Gender Equality, Nationality Laws and Statelessness 2023

Nationality laws which do not grant women equality with men in conferring nationality on their children are a cause of statelessness and a concern for UNHCR. Since 2012, UNHCR has, in line with its mandate to prevent and reduce statelessness, […]


South Africa: ANC won’t amend Constitution to address illegal migration concerns

March 5, 2023 3:19 pm Published by Comments Off on South Africa: ANC won’t amend Constitution to address illegal migration concerns

The African National Congress is not going to amend the Constitution in order to tackle illegal migration. This was confirmed as the party unveiled the resolutions from its 55th national conference, which took place in December. The party adopted the […]


Enquête sur le projet de carte d’identité biométrique au Niger : Des manigances douteuses sous l’ombre du président de la République

March 5, 2023 11:39 am Published by Comments Off on Enquête sur le projet de carte d’identité biométrique au Niger : Des manigances douteuses sous l’ombre du président de la République

L’on apprend que c’est IDEMIA qui cherche, sans passer par les procédures normales consacrées, à s’accaparer du marché de confection de la carte nationale d’identité biométrique au Niger. Selon de sources crédibles, il y a quelques agitations pour attribuer le […]