Liberians in the Diaspora, represented by The All-Liberian Conference on Dual Citizenship (ALCOD), extend heartfelt gratitude and grateful appreciation for the indispensable role President George Weah played in advocating for Proposition One (Dual Citizenship) in the just ended December 8th, 2020 Senatorial Elections and National Referendum.
He singularly championed the aspirations of over 500,000 Diaspora Liberians. We remain indebted to him for his bold and measured leadership on dual citizenship for natural born Liberians. It is no gainsaying that we feel strongly bounded by blood to our ancestral homeland and are unequivocal about maintaining our Liberian citizenship.
Although the Dual Citizenship Proposition (Proposition One) did not meet the required votes to pass in the referendum, we take solace in the fact that the referendum and the just ended mid-term senatorial elections were independently administered by the National Elections Commission (NEC) without interference and coercion from the Executive branch of government. The results from the referendum and the senatorial election truly reflected the citizens’ votes, and this is a remarkable accomplishment for our young democracy and advocacy for Dual Citizenship under his leadership. We wholeheartedly commend him for demonstrating this level of commitment to our democratic process.
Eminent Emmanuel S. Wettee
Those who argue against dual citizenship often question the allegiance of Liberians with dual nationality. But in today’s globalized world, there is no exclusive allegiance, and there are fewer wars and far less conflicts among nations that demand such exclusive allegiance. Our laws allow blacks to naturalize, and many remain citizens of their countries of birth. But often, we do not question the allegiance of blacks who naturalized in Liberia. However, many blacks who naturalized are dual citizenships because their native countries allow dual citizenship. Equally, not every person who pledges oath of allegiance in Liberia is loyal to Liberia. Expression of allegiance does not necessarily mean loyalty to a country. Allegiance is not demonstrated by pledge but actions to promote and serve one’s country of citizenship.
For Diaspora Liberians, there is no better way to demonstrate allegiance to our ancestral homeland than sending remittances every day to sustain loved ones, replacing brain drain with brain gain, providing employment opportunities as we are investing in the country and providing humanitarian services to our people. These remittances represent a significant part of the Liberian economy. Many Liberians may not be aware that the country relies heavily on remittances. Diaspora Liberians are lifelines for relatives in Liberia, sending remittances each month in millions of United States dollars. Remittances to Liberia have averaged nearly 40 USD Million a month. It reached an all time high of 174.90 USD Million in March of 2017. This is an enormous contribution to the struggling economy.
Mr. President, the leadership and membership of ALCOD will like to collaborate with your offices to repeal the 1974 Aliens and Nationality Law that will contain no restriction for getting appointed or elected positions in Liberia. You are our biggest champion, and we will continue to count on you. You have matched your words with actions, thereby reigniting the aspirations of the thousands of Diaspora Liberians who are determined to maintain their Liberian citizenship.
By the same token, we commend Senator Darius Dillon for submitting a bill on floor of the Liberian Senate to repeal 1974 Aliens and Nationality. Senator Dillon has joined the long list of Liberian lawmakers who in the past submitted similar bill, including but not limited to Senator Varney Sharman, Senator Sumo Kupu, Senator Clutus Waterson, the late Rep. Fallah Kpakah, Rep. Fonti Koffa and Rep. Acarous Moses Gray.
We wish to appeal to Senator Dillion to reach out to other lawmakers so as to build a by-partisan Lawmaker Coalition that will work with President Weah in passing the bill. We are confident that the repeal of the Aliens and Nationality Law will be a major pillar of the legacy of President Weah who has resolutely championed Dual Citizenship from the very beginning of his Presidency. Diaspora Liberians will also be forever grateful to Senator Dillion and other lawmakers who will get the nationality law repealed especially with no restriction, and these lawmakers will leave an indelible imprint that Diaspora Liberians will always cherish.
“Once A Liberian Always a Liberian”