Liberia approves Dual Citizenship

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Liberian President, George Weah, has signed the dual citizenship bill into law after a long time of banning it in the the country.

The bill, which was signed into law on Friday and confirmed on Sunday had reportedly passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

However, dual citizens will be prohibited from serving as Liberian president, finance minister or central bank governor and from holding high-level positions in national security or law enforcement.

The bill read:

“If such a person desires to contest (elections), the person must renounce the citizenship of the other country at least one year before applying to the National Elections Commission,”

It is hoped that this new development will spur would investments in the nation.

As against the naturalization law which allows only black people to be Liberian citizens, the new legislation, allows any black person to acquire Liberian citizenship through marriage, adoption or if they were born in the country or to Liberian parents.