Ms. Walrond’s citizenship is a non-issue

Reference is made to `Clerk of the National Assembly seeking legal advice on Walrond renunciation’ (SN Oct 29). A mountain is being of a minor issue. It is most unfortunate that this matter has reached this stage. It is a non-issue.

Ms. Oneidge Walrond was forced to give up her US citizenship in order to become a Minister (Tourism, Industry and Commerce). But she does not enjoy equality as others. Clearly Ms. Walrond is Guyanese by virtue of birth (Jus sanguinis or blood). That qualifies her to serve as Minister.

Ms. Walrond has not violated any laws or rules. There may or may not have been a technicality or a minor error on her assumption of the office on being a dual citizen. There is a technicality in the reading of the language in the law and in the interpretation of the court’s ruling. Walrond renounced her citizenship in order to accept the position; clearly she did not want to run afoul of any law and she wants to serve the country. It is not even clear if renunciation of dual nationality is required to serve as a technocrat Minister or whether a dual citizen cannot serve as Minister. As she herself stated, out of an abundance of caution, she renounced her US citizenship. The matter should end there. Whether it was done in a timely manner is not an issue. If timing was an issue, Ms. Walrond can simply resign and the President re-appoints her – then the issue becomes moot.

Ms. Walrond is not a voting member of parliament unlike the other 65. She enjoys none of the rights of the others. She is merely a technocrat. Is it fair that she must demonstrate the same qualifications as the other 65? If that is the law, then it should be changed.

I should note that single or mono-citizenship is not enough to demonstrate loyalty to country. Whether Minister Walrond has citizenship of another country is of no consequence to loyalty. There are many who have only Guyanese citizenship but are not loyal to the country. Just look at the handling of oil contracts by those in the previous regime – what loyalty to nation or nationalism was demonstrated by their acts? Also, more Guyanese (those born in Guyana) live outside than inside the country, and they do a lot more for the country than those who live in Guyana. Almost everyone from the diaspora who championed the restoration of democracy in Guyana in 1992 and protected democracy in 2020 were dual nationals. Don’t those acts qualify them to serve the nation in high office?

Ms. Walrond renounced her second citizenship although it may not have been required. The matter ends.