By Richard Mshomba<\/p>\n
What you need to know:<\/p>\n
Tanzania is one of a handful of African countries that fully restricts dual citizenship.<\/p>\n
However, two months ago, the government \u201cproposed amendments to its law so as to introduce a \u2018special status\u2019 to citizens of other countries with Tanzanian roots\u201d (The Citizen, November 11, 2024).<\/p>\n
The main motivation behind that proposed bill, if not the only one, is to attract investment from, and economic engagement by, the diaspora.<\/p>\n
To fully achieve that goal, short of allowing dual citizenship, the proposed bill needs improvement.<\/p>\n
The bill focuses on Tanzanians who have lost their Tanzanian citizenship after acquiring citizenship of other countries.<\/p>\n
If the proposed bill is approved, those former Tanzanian citizens who apply and receive special status would be granted the right to (a) enter Tanzania without a visa, (b) own property and engage in social and economic activities in Tanzania without a citizenship requirement, (c) apply for some form of a special status for their spouses and children, and (d) bequeath their property to their descendants.<\/p>\n
When granted, the special status is good for only 10 years, but renewable.<\/p>\n
While the special status is better than nothing, there are two main ways the proposed bill can be improved. First, make the special status lifelong.<\/p>\n
Second, don\u2019t require Tanzanians abroad first to lose their Tanzanian citizenship before their spouses and children who are not Tanzanians can be eligible for some special status.<\/p>\n