Keorapetse calls for dual citizenship
Urges Ministry to implement Law of Return for Batswana in the Diaspora wishing to return home
Botswana could allow dual citizenship to advance the economy and also raise the national flag through giving citizenship to people with extraordinary abilities and skills.
Speaking in Parliament this week during the debate for the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West Dithapelo Keorapetse said this could in turn boost the country’s international image and help bolster its economic prospects.
Keorapetse said allowing dual citizenship was not only for personal benefit of individuals with Botswana roots but could also benefit the country on a socio- economic scale.
He cited examples of personalities who assumed the citizenship of other countries and benefited the economies of those countries, such as in sports where it is common practice for African nationals for example, to take citizenship in western countries and subsequently represent those countries in international sporting activities.
He pointed out that this is not just a western practice but something that can also be adopted in Botswana. Keorapetse said there are many Batswana in the Diaspora who have been working overseas or got married there and lived away for many years but now want to return to Botswana.
“Government, through the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs should implement the Law of Return for all Batswana who are now citizens of other countries but wish to return to Botswana”, the MP suggested. The debate on the amendment of Citizenship Act follows complaints over the forced requirement for Batswana who have citizenship in more than one country to renounce their citizenship here.
Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Annah Mokgethi has indicated that the Ministry presented to Parliament and proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act to “protect those with dual citizenship from automatically losing their Botswana citizenship when they fail to renounce”.
Under the current Act, any person with dual citizenship automatically ceases to be a citizen of Botswana unless they renounce the other nationality upon attaining the age of 21 years. Under current law, Botswana citizens by birth or descent who are also citizens of other countries are required to choose one- citizenship by the age of 21, and renounce the other.
Upon reaching the age of 21, applicants are expected to visit the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs or Botswana Missions abroad, at least three months before turning 21, to submit a completed Certificate of Declaration.
Minister Mokgethi has indicated that those who have already lost their Botswana citizenship in the meantime have been informed to apply for resumption of citizenship as per Section 17 of the Citizenship Act until such a time when the Act is successfully amended.