Arguments Against Dual Citizenship for Malawi

English: SIGONELLA, Sicily (July 20, 2010) Candidates for U.S. citizenship recite the oath of citizenship during a naturalization ceremony at Naval Air Station Sigonella. Eleven candidates from eight countries became citizens during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Erica R. Gardner/Released) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are several arguments against the realization of Dual Citizenship in African nations.
Some of the arguments against Dual Citizenship include:  

1. Dual Citizenship causes split loyalty and one can not be loyal to two countries. 

This is the most common argument against Dual Citizenship. However, this loyalty can be described best as a child having loyalty towards both their mother and their father. 

2. Those seeking Dual Citizenship want to benefit twice, from two systems. 

Malawians need to take up citizenship abroad in order to remain competitive in jobs and education. Malawians that are able to take advantage of two systems do so in order to keep employed and in hopes of being able to provide more assistance to Malawi and Malawian Families.  

3. Dual Citizenship causes will only benefit a small minority of Malawians. 

Dual Citizenship is currently confined to a small number of Malawians since its practiced under the ground, changing the law will make Dual Citizenship a right for more Malawians.Whilst not all Malawians will take advantage of Dual Citizenship laws, all Malawians would now have a right to apply for it. Rural Malawians living in border towns and participating in cross border trade, or wanting to send their children to nearby schools will also benefit. Many of the cross-border traders that sell goods at the market can benefit from these laws.

4. Dual Citizenship will lead to an influx of Malawians coming home to take jobs.

Malawians in the Diaspora have also made homes in their new countries. Some have housing payments, debts, school age children or college age children that they are still obligated to. Therefore not all Malawians will necessarily rush back home en masse. It provides the opportunity for some Malawians in the Diaspora to come home for a year, or two to start a project, conduct research or otherwise participate in the growth of the nation.

5. It will lead to Malawians from the Diaspora taking over political positions.

Dual Citizenship laws vary depending on what is beneficial for that country. Malawi will have the right to decide what type of restrictions it wants to impose on Dual Citizens.In some cases, all citizens can run for office in any position without a residential requirement. In some African countries they have residency requirements so that those that want to be politically active have to meet a residency requirement ie. live in the country for 3-10 years before they run for a post. Other countries restrict Dual Citizens from running for specified offices, typically President, Vice-President or Commander of the Armed Forces.

6. Malawians in the Diaspora willingly give up Malawian citizenship, therefore there is no need for them to try and regain it.  

Due to the employment trends in foreign countries Malawians have to  take up citizenship to remain competitive for employers. They also have to do this to remain competitive for scholarships and other opportunities that are reserved for citizens of foreign countries. Therefore there is little choice for many Malawian other then to give up their Malawian citizenship. Malawian citizenship is also automatically revoked in many cases therefore no "choice" has been made.