Monrovia – Liberians are proudly italicizing the maternal linage of American Idol 2020 winner when posting to their various social media profiles. But are they prepared to grant Just Sam citizenship? Ask thousands of Liberians in Monrovia and you’ll get a resounding exclamatory YES!

Analysis By: Alpha Daffae Senkpeni  | alpa.senkpeni@frontpageafricaonline.com

However, citizenship is a fundamental right granted only by the Constitution – without it, one’s rights are limited in a particular nation. Would anyone give up an American citizenship for Liberia’s? Just Sam will have to do the absurdity to become the Liberian that many Liberians crave dearly amid the exigency of her monumental exploit.

Samantha Diaz alias Just Sam marveled the judges with her vocal quality but it was her personal story that touched most Americans: from being bullied in school, singing in the subway to being adopted and motivated by her Liberian immigrant Grandmother.

And then her story attracted diaspora Liberians who then launched a social media campaign to garner support from Liberian communities all over the world and those back on the home soil.

Long story short, it was all a happy ending for Just Sam and for many Liberians – home and abroad. This is a story that fits into an epic Hollywood biopic – maybe an Oscar nominee.

But there’s an elephant in a very big room: dual citizenship — a debate that has been marred by misconceptions and political bloopers. It remains one of the most controversial topics in a country that was colonized by freed American slaves back in the 1800s. So, why many Liberians are disdainful about dual citizenship? The factors spurring these misconceptions even in a modern day Liberia can pretty much be subtly discerned in our history.

President George Weah ignited a new debate when he heralded the need to amend the Constitution. The President has two American sons and a Jamaican wife. So, it makes sense to push for a Constitutional reform.

Put the Weahs’ conspiracy theory aside, many Liberians opposing dual citizenship still have their contentions. Some hold that Liberians, who allegedly have American citizenship, have exploited the country while serving in government and are walking with impunity.

This evolves from an entrenched public perception that several diaspora Liberians who held essential positions in the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration “ripped-off” the country and left the government with little or no power to seek extradition of these alleged pillagers. Others are edgy that diaspora Liberians hold a superior allegiance to their host countries above Liberia.  

Others want citizenship reform but with askance.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, pundits predicted that the 2020 referendum would have begun a new epoch of Liberia’s history.

A land mark Supreme Court ruling in December 2019 renewed the debate. In that case, a determined Attorney Teage Jalloh challenged the Constitutionality of the Aliens and Nationality Law – a statute that should not circumvent the Constitution.   

Atty. Jalloh, a Liberian-born with American citizenship, was denied travel documents by the Liberian embassy in Washington, DC after being told he needed a non-immigrant Liberian visa before he could be permitted to enter Liberia.

Article 27 b of the Constitution defines the eligibility for Liberian citizenship; stating that, “In order to preserve, foster and maintain the positive Liberian culture, values and character, only persons who are negro or of Negro descent shall qualify by birth or by naturalization to be citizens of Liberia”.

But Article 27 c, gives power to the Legislature to “prescribe such other qualification criteria for the procedures by which naturalization may be obtained”. This gives rise to the Aliens and Naturalization statute which was contested by Atty. Jalloh during a protracted legal tussle.

Section 22.1 of the Act provides a textual meaning of how one shall forfeit a Liberian citizenship. These avoidable acts are: making an affirmation of allegiance to a foreign state, personally enlisting into the armed forces of another country, voting in a political election in a foreign state and making a formal renunciation of Liberian citizenship at the embassy or consulate in a foreign state.

Simply put, Jalloh contention was rooted in law: that the law made by the Legislature violated the Constitution – a determination that was later made by the high court.  

Sparing you the rigor of Liberia’s jurisprudence, Jalloh’s case indicatively birthed a case law that only lawyers would interpret efficently. However, it also gives a glimpse of hope to thousands of diaspora Liberians already nervous about the uncertainty of reclaiming rights in a country of their birth.

But only a national referendum is a panacea.   

“In the absence of an amendment, this was the best we could get. The constitutional provision prohibiting dual citizenship is still in force,” said Justice Minister Musa Dean following the Supreme Court judgment.

“What the amendment seeks to do is to abolish it completely; except that dual citizens won’t be eligible for certain positions in government.”

On the other side of the divide, supporters of dual citizenship — home and abroad — are optimistic that the upcoming referendum will usher a new begining . The All Liberian Conference on Dual Citizenship, which represents over 500,000 Liberians in the diaspora, has been debating the framework of “Proposition One” passed by the legislature.

The proposition is not without issues. Some say it is discriminatory against diaspora Liberians. The Senate’s version precludes a person with dual citizenship from holding positions such as Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, cabinet minister positions, deputy ministers, heads of autonomous commissions and agencies amongst others.

There are lamentations from diaspora Liberians about these restrictions. Some think it is resentful and would make them “second class Liberian citizens” while others argue that diaspora Liberians have the requisite skill sets to hold important positions and contribute to nation building.

Mr. Arthur K. Watson, Chairman Emeritus of United Liberia Association of the America, decries that it is rather unfortunate for a country that is in such dire need of the relevant skill sets that its natural born citizens have acquired over these many years from various develop countries of the world to be utilized for the benefit of the country and they are now been denied by this so-called Bill.

Despite the inklings about this proposition, voting for it means “You have agreed that a person, at least one of whose parents was a citizen at the time of the person’s birth, shall be a natural-born citizen of Liberia. Such person does not have to reach the age of maturity to decide his/her citizenship. Also, you have agreed that a natural born citizen of Liberia may hold another citizenship but shall not qualify for elected national positions or public service positions listed in the amended proposition.”

Just Sam’s success have validated Mr. Watson and several others convictions. It also epitomizes that people with “Liberian blood” have the tendency of bringing pride to the country no matter where they are. And Liberians are always proud to be associated with their individual success.

The newly crowned American Idol has even told US media how she’s committed to using some of her massive cash prize to help her Grandma complete a hospital project in Liberia. Her Grandma, although now a US citizen, has been remitting money back to Liberia for the project. But she too, based on the law, is no longer a Liberian.

The bond between Just Sam and her Granny is solid. That bond is the nexus between her and the West African nation. But she is not allowed to be a Liberian even if she wants.

Like her, there are tens of thousands of young people with Liberian heritage or linage that are denied Liberian citizenship because of this Act by the Legislature.

Would Just Sam’s story influence campaigners to lure votes for the upcoming dual citizenship referendum? It’s a wide guess for anyone but at least her phenomenal success has ignited another national conversation about Liberians’ engrained love/hate perception for dual citizenship.   

Monrovia – President-elect George Weah is yet to start the formation of his government, in fact, he’s yet to be sworn into office, but FrontPageAfrica has reliably learned that the Senate has already decided to reject nominations of persons with dual citizenship.

Report by Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

The Senate’s decision, according to sources within the Capitol, is intended to avoid people who have sworn oath of allegiance to other countries from holding positions of trust in the new government.

“We cannot continue to confirm people whose loyalty is to America; this was a mistake we have made over the years and we want to correct those wrongs. We will write the President-elect and inform him of this decision so he can take the necessary measures.

“You appoint and confirm people who have dual citizenship and at the end of the day we realize serious austerity – people taking money to pay for their mortgages in America. They don’t have loyalty to country,” our legislative source said.

According to him, the Senate is taking very seriously like never before the scrutiny of presidential nominations for positions in government.

FrontPageAfrica gathered that the Senate was embarrassed by series of query over the nationality of the Chairman of the National Elections Commission, Cllr. Jerome Korkoya, when many protests were staged for his resignation before the conduct of the elections.

The Senate, according to the source, also referenced the appointment of Ellen Corkrum who once served as Managing Director of the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) and her fiance, Melvin Johnson.

The pair were allegedly involved in squandering thousands of dollars of Liberian tax payers money and absconded to the United States.

Corkrum, one of the diaspora Liberians brought in the country by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf under the canopy of contributing her quota to the national revival drive, mysteriously left the country in a bid to escape the Liberian government indictment against her in July 2013.

She was indicted for theft of property and economic sabotage in line with a deal that was intended to revamp the country’s lone international airport (Robert International Airport) devastated by the civil war.

The government mounted sustained and relentless efforts to have Madam Corkrum and her boyfriend (Johnson) extradited to Liberia, relying on a reported extradition treaty with the US, to face trial.

Bringing the alleged culprits back to Liberia on the strength of the ‘extradition treaty’ became a hotly debated issue across the country, with the Liberian justice authorities publicly stating that they had filed an extradition request to the US government through the Department of State and that negotiations were in the advanced stage to consummate the arrangement.

However, legal minds counter-argued the government’s claims and questioned the veracity of any existing treaty between the two nations.

To date, Corkrum is yet to face justice for her alleged act. 

Monrovia – Claims by a group of concerned Liberians now before the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice for adjudication that the Chairman of the National Election Commission Jerome Korkoya is an American citizen, Wednesday took another dimension when the NEC boss asked the court to dismiss the claims.

Report by Kennedy L. Yangian – klyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 

Chairman Korkoya’s call came through his legal counsel during legal arguments in his motion filed by him to the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice to dismiss the claims against him which was rejected by lawyers representing the aggrieved concerned Liberians.

In his motion for dismissal, Cllr. Cooper Kruah counter argued that under the Civil Procedure Law Chapter I I, Section II.2(a) states that a party may at any time of service of his responsive pleading move for judgment dismissing the complaint on grounds that the court lacks the  jurisdiction over the case.

“That the honorable Supreme Court has held in numerous opinions that jurisdiction is conferred by statute and that a judgment rendered without jurisdiction is absolutely void”, said Kruah.

 Krauh, continued that the petitioners claimed that Korkoya  violated the Alien and Nationalization law, perjured himself before the Liberian Senate and obtained his diplomatic passport through fraudulent means but same are allegations of criminality for which the civil law court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to hear and therefore the petition should be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

“Wherefore and in view of the foregoing, movant prays court to dismiss the respondent petition entire petition for declaratory judgment and grant unto the movant” Kruah’s petition said.

Earlier, Cllr Lavela Supuwood  argued that it is true that Jerome Korkoya was born  on December 24,1961 in Gbarnga , Bong County and was a Liberian citizen and owed his duty of allegiance to Liberia, however voluntarily and without duress on December 2007 renounced his duty and allegiance to Liberia and assumed citizenship of the United States thereby obtained a US passport number #46708002 dated March 16, 2010 hereby renouncing his Liberian citizenship in keeping with Article  22.1 of the Alien and Naturalization Law.

Cllr, Supuwood furthered that in evidence of Korkoya’s American citizenship, he voted in a number of Americaelections as a member of the Democratic Party having first registered to vote in that country on July 1, 2008;

“Wherefore, petitioners prayed the judgment granting this petition as prayed for and grant unto petitioners such other relief as may be deemed just and equitable” said Cllr. Supuwood.

However, the Presiding Judge, Boima Kontoe has reserved ruling on the motion and its counter resistance from the petitioners’ lawyer to give a ruling at an unannounced date based on a notice of assignment.

A group of Liberians under the banner of the National Democratic Coalition represented by and through its chairman, vice chairman and secretary along with all other authorized representatives and that of the Concerned Citizens to Protect the Constitution headed by its Executive Directress Miatta Fahbulleh in May 2017 have petitioned the court for a declaratory judgment based on the alleged constitutional violations of the NEC boss.

In the petition, the two groups have claimed that they were legally registered entities operating in the country and that the essence of their petitions was that Jerome Korkoya is an American citizen.

The concerned Liberians say that Korkoya was not a Liberian citizen and that he allegedly used his dubious means to secure his appointment and confirmation as Chairman of the National Election Commission (NEC).

Monrovia – The issue of citizenship in Liberia continues to take center stage of the debate as the country heads to elections in October.

From the recent constitution review process, it is cleared that Liberians in the Diaspora support dual citizenship while most Liberians home are opposite to their kith and kin abroad. On the issue of having a racist constitution some intellectuals including Dr. H.B. Fahnbulleh termed our constitution as the most racist constitution in modern time. 

One of Liberia’s best legal scholars, Cllr. Seward Montgomery Cooper gave an in depth analysis of citizenship in Liberia.

Cllr. Cooper segmented Liberian citizenship in three parts, the limitation of citizenship to a particular race; Dual citizenship; and Loss of Liberian citizenship.

A Pan-Africanist and Anti-Corruption crusader, Dr. P.L.O Lumumba during his visit to Liberia spoke strongly against dual citizenship thus discouraging voters from electing leaders with more than one nationality.

Cllr Cooper’s paper focuses mainly on Liberian citizenship acquire by birth than by naturalization.

“Generally, citizenship is acquired by naturalization or by birth.”

“This paper does not deal with Liberian citizenship acquired by naturalization. It examines Liberian citizenship acquired by birth.”

Cooper furthered: “Citizenship by birth is of two types. It can be acquired by jus sanguinis or by jus soli.

The laws of some countries recognize both. Jus sanguinis is “by right of blood.

“The principle that a person’s citizenship is determined by the citizenship of the parents – Liberia subscribes to jus sanguinis.”

Cllr. Cooper said one can be a Liberian by birth if at the time of one’s birth, the parent was a Liberian citizen.

Jus soli refers to the law of the place of a person’s birth.

“The principle that a person’s citizenship is determined by place of birth rather than by the citizenship of one’s parents.”

The United States of America subscribes to both jus sanguinis and jus soli.

In this presentation, Limitation of Liberian Citizenship by Race Using legal tools, Cllr. Cooper first seek to look at the sequential development of Liberia’s citizenship laws in the historical context.

“Dr. Mary Antoinette Brown Sherman, a former President of the University of Liberia, observes that the concept of the 2 Black’s Law Dictionary 6th Edition p.862 3 Under earlier laws (jus soli) all persons of Negro descent born in the Republic of Liberia and subject to Liberia’s jurisdiction are citizens of Liberia.”

“This would be so even if the parents were aliens and were not present for diplomatic reasons or otherwise exempted,” Cllr. Cooper said.

The legal scholar said Liberia’s citizenship laws have been evolving, adding that it has been based consistently on a protectionist approach.

“This is not to suggest that other nation-states do not also have protectionist citizenship laws.”

Cllr Cooper further argued that the essential feature of Liberia’s approach is that it is race-based, adding that whether there exists a continuing rational basis for the exclusion or a compelling reason to limit Liberian citizenship in such a race-based manner is for a socio-political-economic discussion.

“My examination is from an historical and legal perspective. Despite popular thinking the restriction to Negroes or persons of Negro descent, came originally from the white founders of the American Society for the Colonization of the Free People of Color (the ACS),”

“Liberia was expressly founded for the “free people of color” whose origin, it is true, lay in indentured servitude and slavery. However, their social status, no matter how ambiguous, ranked above the 6 slave population. It was the presence of this group, the free blacks, that was deemed ‘unwholesome’ by the slaveholding population of the United States.”only persons who are Negroes or of Negro descent shall qualify by birth or by naturalization to be citizens of Liberia.”

According to Cllr. Cooper, this provision, notwithstanding, Liberia is signatory to several international conventions on human rights that bar discrimination on the bases of race or color.

“Those treaties and conventions are subordinate to the Constitution, which provides at Article 2: “

“This Constitution is the supreme and fundamental law of Liberia and its provisions shall have binding force and effect on all authorities and persons throughout Liberia. Any laws, treaties, statutes, decrees, customs and regulations found to be inconsistent with it shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void and of no legal effect.”

Cllr. Cooper said the Supreme Court, pursuant to its power of judicial review, is empowered to declare any inconsistent laws unconstitutional.

“It is therefore reasonable to assert that the provisions of the Constitution which limit Liberian citizenship to Negroes or persons of Negro descent would be upheld against a challenge based on international conventions or treaties to which the Government has subscribed and which have been ratified.”

Cllr. Cooper quoting the constitution said no citizen of the Republic shall be deprived of citizenship or nationality except as provided by law; and no person shall be denied the right to change citizenship or nationality.

“The provision of the Constitution that speaks directly to dual citizenship is found in the first full sentence of Article 28: 12 “Any person, at least one of whose parents was a citizen of Liberia at the time of the person’s birth, shall be a citizen of Liberia; provided that any such person shall upon reaching maturity renounce any other citizenship acquired by virtue of one parent being a citizen of another country.”

He continued: “Dual Citizenship Chapter IV at Articles 27 and 28 of the 1986 Constitution deal with Citizenship: 11 “Article 27: a) All persons who on the coming into force of this Constitution were lawfully citizens of Liberia shall continue to be Liberian citizens. b) In order to preserve foster and maintain the positive Liberian culture, values and character, only persons who are Negroes or of Negro descent shall qualify by birth or by naturalization to be citizens. c) The Legislature shall, adhering to the above standard, prescribe such other qualification criteria for and the procedures by which naturalization may be obtained.”

Cllr Cooper said no requirement exists for renunciation of Liberian citizenship where both parents at the time of the person’s birth are or were Liberian citizens.

“This conclusion derives, among other factors, from rules of interpretation and legal maxims. 13 The Constitution expressly states the circumstance under which a person who holds more than one citizenship must renounce the non-Liberian citizenship.”

“That circumstance is when a parent is not a Liberian citizen and the other citizenship is acquired by virtue of that non-Liberian parent’s foreign citizenship.”

“A rule of interpreting laws requires that when certain persons or things are specified in a law, an intention to exclude all others from its operation may be inferred. Under this maxim, if a statute specifies one exception to a general rule or assumes to specify effects of a certain provision, other effects are excluded.”

This is the rule concisely stated: expressio unius est exclusio alterius. It is also stated as expressio unius personae est exclusio alterius. Simply put: The mention of one person means the exclusion of another.

Therefore, since only a particular category of persons is mentioned in the Constitution, the provision is applicable only to that category of persons and no one else. Moreover, the rules of interpretation also provide that all things that are not expressly prohibited, when there exists expressed prohibitions, those things are permissible.

The maxim in Latin is: permissum videtur in omne quod non prohibitum. 

Monrovia – Justices at the Supreme Court of Liberia recently heard argument on a landmark case that could have widespread implications for all Liberians who are citizens of other countries applying for Liberian passports.

Report by Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo, bettie.mbayo@frontpageafricaonline.com

The Court may consider whether the Liberians should have dual citizenship while they are living in other countries.

A full bench heard the arguments of the Alvin Teage Jalloh, a man Liberian born and naturalized US citizen versus Liberian government.

Alvin Teage Jalloh was represented by and thru his attorney Jerome Korkoya of City of Monrovia Versus Olubanke King Akerele, Minister of Foreign Affairs (former), Christiana Tah, Attorney General, Minster of Justice (former) and Milton Nathaniel Barnes, Liberia’s Ambassador to the U.S (former) in the action petition in Re: Constitutionality of sections 22.1 &22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Act.

The case was brought following a decision by the Consular officer to refuse a passport to Mr. Jalloh who lives in the US.

In the petition, Mr, Jalloh argued that he was born March 23, 1975 in Bopolu, Gbarpolu to two Liberian citizens and acquired his Liberian citizenship at birth.

He says after fleeing the consequences of the brutal civil war in Liberia, he acquired a U.S citizenship in accordance with the naturalization law of the U.S.

He challenged section 22.1 (subsections A, B, C, D) and section 22.2 of the alien and nationality act of Liberia.

Chapter 22 of the Alien and Nationality Law of Liberia prohibits Liberian citizens from taking other nationalities or engaging in certain acts in foreign countries like joining the armed forces or voting in elections.

The Alien and Nationality Law came into effect on May 15, 1973 with amendments on May 9, 1974. This statute also draws inspiration from Article 28 of the constitution which states in relevant parts that “No citizen of the Republic shall be deprived of citizenship or nationality except as provided by law; and no person shall be denied the right to change citizenship or nationality.”

The law is clear at section 22.1 that “…A person who is a citizen of Liberia whether by birth or naturalization, shall lose his citizenship…” by deliberately or consciously performing certain acts like naturalizing in a foreign country; pledging allegiance to a foreign country or a part of a foreign country; joining the armed services of a foreign country without the prior approval of the President of Liberia; voting in a political or sovereignty election in a foreign state or territory; and making a formal renunciation of Liberian nationality.

Subsection 22.2 goes on to explain that no one can lose his or her citizenship by government action. Someone can lose their Liberian citizenship solely from the performance of one or more of the acts listed in section 22.1. It states that “The loss of citizenship under section 22.1 of this title shall result solely from the performance by a citizen of the acts or fulfilment of the conditions specified in such section and without the institution by the Government of any proceedings to nullify or cancel such citizenship.”

Jalloh in his petition says the Liberian government enforcement of the sections are unconstitutional.

“Specifically, the self-executing language of section 22.2 directs automatic deprivation of Liberian citizenship without a hearing and a judgment as mandated by the due process clause of Article 20(a).

He continued: “When a Liberian citizen becomes a naturalized citizen of a foreign country, votes in a foreign election, or serves in the armed forces of a foreign country without prior approval from the president of Liberia.”

Jalloh requested the Court to declare the challenged provisions (sections) unconstitutional and bar the Government from enforcing the sections.

Jalloh said he has the legal standing to challenge the Constitution because he is affected by the self-executing statutes.

“I have been prejudiced by the Government of Liberia’s action to give effect to the challenged statutes, my rights to Liberian citizenship including my constitutional right to enter Liberia at any time, are being infringed upon.”

“And moreover the Government admission that the challenged statutes deprived me of my Liberian citizenship also supports my standing to maintain this petition, “It cannot be denied that one who is prejudiced or threatened by the enforcement of an act of the legislature may questions its constitutionality,” he says.

Jalloh is represented by National Election Commission Chairman Jerome Korkoya who has also been sued at the lower court (Civil Law Court) on having a U.S passport and presiding as chair of the Elections commission.

On May 3, a notice of additional counsel was given to the high court adding Cllr. Seward Cooper as additional counsel to Cllr. Korkoya.

The petitioner said the sections are inconsistent with Article 20 (A) of the constitution, were repealed by Article 95(A) of the 1986 Constitution.

“The Government of Liberia cannot deprive me or any other Liberian of their natural born Liberian citizenship without his expressed consent, or without first proving intent to give up such citizenship.”

He said a Liberian will always be a Liberian as supported by the Liberian constitution requesting the high court to strike sections from the constitution.

Responding to the petition, the Liberian Government said Jalloh alleged that he is a natural born Liberian citizen but failed to prove that both his parents are indeed Liberian citizens hailing from Bopolu.

Additionally, the state requested the court to declare the sections are consistent with the constitution of the Republic of Liberia.

That the framers of the constitution (1986) or any law did not intend to grant Liberian citizenship to any person who possess with another citizenship.

The state: “Declare that neither the constitution of Liberia (1986) nor any law currently in force in Liberia requires that the Government of Liberia inquire whether a Liberian citizen who takes up another citizenship has the intent to retain his/her Liberian citizenship, prior to his/ her deprivation of citizenship.”

Meanwhile, the court has reserved ruling and may rule in the handling down of its opinion.

Dual citizenship is a highly debated part of Liberia’s political discussions. Opposing perceptions of Liberian citizenship have contributed to diverging perspectives on dual citizenship.

There are those who associate acquiring foreign citizenship while in exile with being unpatriotic. Thus, these Diaspora Liberians with foreign citizenship should not be allowed to gain Liberian citizenship.

There are also those who acknowledge the challenges associated with being in exile and empathize with displaced Liberians who gain foreign citizenship to assimilate in their host nations.

They also recognize that the Liberian Diaspora has some of the nation’s highly educated populations.

Indeed, the brain gain that Liberia will acquire when such people take advantage of opportunities abroad could be turned into dividends that would eventually contribute to Liberia’s recovery. 

Most Liberians who left the country at the beginning of or during the war were impelled by the conflict.

The civil conflict was unexpected, although also not surprising to some. It posed uninvited threat to the lives and livelihoods of all citizens who were not combatants in the war.

They lost family members or friends in the war and must live with the ongoing trauma. To be assimilated in their host country, citizenship status was required for them to access certain important opportunities critical to career and personal development.

Capacities attained would later make them contributing citizens in the homeland. 

Does it make sense to deny them Liberian citizenship rights upon return? Or does it make sense to ask them to denounce their foreign citizenship before gaining Liberian citizenship? Moreover, national identity is not static.

It evolves in an ongoing process with the history and political circumstances of the state and its people. Thoughtful Liberians cannot be insensitive to the effects of the war when discussing this topic.

Also important, Diaspora Liberians are more likely to contribute to the nation’s development than they would be a constraint on its development, with minor exceptions.

National identity in the post-war era is no longer just a matter of living within a prescribed geographic boundary.

Granting dual citizenship to Diaspora Liberians will strengthen the nation building process and enrich the sparse human capital pool left in the homeland in the wake of the war.

Diaspora Liberians stood with the nation in its times of devastation and through remittances became the source of livelihood for many thousands of their country people. Such selfless actions cannot be rewarded with the harshness, even unkindness that emanates from the anti-dual citizenship proponents.

A person’s national, ethnic identity is fundamentally about “belonging” to a social group. Belonging represents one of humankind’s deepest longing.

As the Latin American Liberation Theologian Virgil Elizondo, has pointed out, when a person’s need to belong to a social group is met, it is hard for them to consider it as a necessity.

However, when the same need is unmet, it creates unimaginable anxiety and heart break. He was writing about what he characterized as the “unfinished identity.”

People who vacillate between two cultural or national identities, unable to hold steadfast to one over the other suffer such a psychological yearning. Could anti-dual citizenship proponents be imposing such “unfinished identity” phenomenon on Diaspora Liberians?

There are those children of Liberian ancestry that were born abroad during the warring period and who want to return to Liberia as adults. The civil war displaced their parents.

They were awarded foreign citizenship as adults and they used that status to have access to opportunities for advancement.

Now, as adults, they are longing for a community of their heritage to confirm and help shape their identity.

When they face resentment in the form of a refusal to be recognized as citizens of their parents’ country of origin, we not only close opportunities for them to belong, but we also shut down the chance for them not to share their talents, skills, and investments with Liberia and Liberians.

 It is not only cruel, but also shortsighted. Imagine the dividends associated with hundreds of thousands of Diaspora Liberians returning with new ideas and other tangible contributions to the daily lives of homeland residents.

A country of four million plus people cannot afford to exclude any of its citizens, especially when it is facing immense brain drain, intractable economic and other structural problems.

It is true that before the civil war, Liberians were widely separated, and ethnic identity was exploited to sow the seeds of division amongst us.

Such a pattern cannot and should not be continued in the new era. The time has come for us to recognize ourselves in other Liberians despite where they are geographically located or their citizenship status.

We need to promote Liberian unity rooted in a history that emphasizes the common events that we share so that we can forget the trivial things that set us apart. For instance, we share a common ancestry. Many of us hail from some of the same towns and villages.

Others even share blood lineages. The war may have estranged us from one another, but the similarity of our life experiences and the ultimate goal to revive Liberia should force us to bridge those gaps.

We all suffered the effects of the mass slaughters that occurred to relatives, friends, and people we knew. We should therefore look beyond the narrow confines of individual needs and seek to fulfill our collective desires.

With the economy facing hard times, it is understandable why so much passion is invested in resisting dual citizenship for Diaspora-based Liberians who hold foreign citizenships.

This attitude might be to protect the turfs of those who think Diaspora Liberians will take theirs.

It might frighten some of those already in power that their positions will be taken by these newcomers. These fears are based more on personal interests than the good of the country.

For those already inclined to react this way, they might not be convinced by the logic of this article.

Liberians who have naturalized elsewhere or were born abroad should not be forced to give up their identity link and sense of belonging to Liberia because others feel unnecessarily threatened personally by their presence.

Liberia is no longer restricted to the geographical boundaries that defined it prior to the civil conflict. It is now a multicultural and multi-lingual society with components emanating from its many Diaspora parts.

That rich diversity ought to constitute a vital ingredient of our new nation building deliberations.

To ignore this evolving reality overlooks changes occurring globally and within the sub-region where other nations are taking advantage of their Diaspora dividends arising from passing pro-dual citizenship laws.

Diaspora identities and identifications serve as an anchor that binds Liberians in the Diaspora and those in their homeland.

It will not be abolished without having negative effects on the country’s recovery economically and psychosocially.

Denying young foreign born Liberians of the citizenship of their native land might make them not to invest in the country’s development.

Disuniting of Liberia at the time when we need each other the most is a luxury that the nation cannot afford.

Much of Liberia’s future will be influenced by the mirror we each choose to look through: an inward lens, rejecting Diaspora Liberians or an outward lens, welcoming Diaspora Liberians.

Liberia does not belong exclusively to those who remained at home during the warfare or did not get foreign citizenships during this period.

Since the war, Liberians began to redefine their national identity from a narrow perspective to a broader one.

By welcoming Diaspora Liberians and granting them citizenship, we tie together all the capacities and nest eggs necessary to rebuild into a robust form unyielding against any divisive tactic.

Emmanuel Dolo, Ph. D., Contributing Writer

Monrovia – In the face of concerns expressed from the Diaspora about Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh’s stance against Dual Citizenship for Liberians, the esteemed Liberian economist has issued a statement indicating that why he is against Dual Citizenship for Liberians.

Dr. Tipoteh’s attention was drawn to the concerns when he read about them in a recent edition of the Front Page Africa Newspaper.

Although the names or organizations expressing the concerns were not mentioned in the Newspaper, Dr. Tipoteh selected to respond to the concerns.

At the onset, Dr. Tipoteh thanked the persons with the concerns for expressing their views because they would be helpful in promoting a non-violent approach to the handling of the various problems facing Liberia.

These concerns, noted Dr. Tipoteh, were expressed specifically in the following sentence: “Dr. Tipoteh, when you oppose Dual Citizenship now, you are telling the Diaspora relatives of those that died supporting your ‘progressive activities’ of the past that they no longer deserve to be Liberians”.

In the first place, Dr. Tipoteh said, in his response, that any Liberian always deserves to be a Liberian but not to be a Liberian and a citizen of any other country at the same time.

Dr. Tipoteh reminded us all that he continues to support Single Citizenship for all Liberians, as found in the Constitution of Liberia.

Dr. Tipoteh went on to say that the door remains open to any Liberian who went abroad because of any circumstance, became a citizen of another country and wants to return to Liberia and reclaim his or her Liberian citizenship, but he or she only has to put his or her other citizenship aside.

However, according to Dr. Tipoteh, the Constitution of Liberia has a way out for those who want to become dual citizens and that way out is to push for the dual citizenship provision to be placed in the Constitution through a referendum.

Dr. Tipoteh said in his Statement that he continues to defend the right of any Liberian, including those with Dual Citizenship concerns, to change the Constitution through the referendum method, as provided for in the Constitution of Liberia.

Dr. Tipoteh recalled how he has been a Champion for encouraging Liberians to return to Liberia and reclaim their Liberian citizenship and Liberians continue to return to Liberia, through his encouragement, and they are not looking back, despite the difficulties in Liberia.

Dr. Tipoteh concluded by stressing that in the struggle to build sustainable democracy in Liberia so that justice, peace and progress will prevail for all Liberians, the views of the majority of Liberians, while respecting the views of the minority, determine what must be done.

If a referendum were to take place in Liberia now or in the near future on the question of Dual Citizenship, asserted Dr. Tipoteh, the vast majority of Liberians would not support Dual Citizenship but they would support Single Citizenship.

Lastly, Dr. Tipoteh said that he remains a Servant of the People of Liberia in the struggle to build sustainable democracy in Liberia so that justice, peace and progress will prevail for all Liberians.

Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 received an eleven member delegation from the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota.

The delegation was headed by Mr. Momodu Kemokai.

According to an Executive Mansion, the delegation commended President Sirleaf for her leadership, which has kept the country safe for over 13 years now and for the efforts made thus far in tackling the country’s development challenges.

They thanked the Liberian leader for steps taken to establish in Consulate in Minnesota and encouraged the government to take further actions aimed at operationalizing the Minnesota Consulate, nothing that it will serve as a relief for the over 35, 000 Liberians residing in that part of the United States of America.

The OLM delegation also called for the special office on Diaspora matters to handle issuing concerning Liberians abroad who are interested in remaining engaged with the country and to provide them the much needed services and assistance.

The OLM delegation also called for measures to be taken for the promotion and advancement of small businesses.

“Actions must be taken to eliminate or minimize huddles that prevent small businesses form progressing. Foreigners are completely in charge of the real estate business and something should be done to change the trend”, the delegation stressed.

They re-echoed calls earlier made by many Diaspora groupings for Liberia to accept dual citizenship, noting that it will help develop the country.

In remarks, President Sirleaf thanked the delegation for the visit and urged Liberians living abroad to be patriotic and nationalistic about issues that concern Liberia as well as commit themselves to serving the nation.

She thanked them for the high level of contributions particularly through remittances and other forms of assistance to families, friends and others at home.

President Sirleaf renewed her support for dual citizenship and informed the delegation that the issue is currently before the National Legislature as a part of the constitutional reform process initiated by the Government of Liberia.

On the issue of real estate development, President Sirleaf informed the delegation that several reform measures including the establishment of the Land Authority and other related policies will address the disadvantages that prevent Liberians from having access to land and others incentives necessary for progress by Liberians in the sector.

She concluded by challenging Diaspora business people to get involved with the umbrella organization for Liberia businesses and be more concerned with doing business than politicking.

Other members of the delegation were Sizi Goyah, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Henry Kesselly, Stanton Peabody, Alonso Ngumbu, Alfred K. Dele, Jallah Kesselly, Zeor Yaskey, Charles Quitee and Teresa Goyah.