Since the coming of Dr. Abiy Ahmed to office, Ethiopia is undergoing through political and economic reforms, which included opening the door for exiled politicians to return home and participate in domestic politics.
The latter undertaking has brought the issue of dual citizenship and election to the forefront of the country’s mainstream political discourse, becoming a contentious issue amongst scholars and experts. Considering the fact that Ethiopian citizenship does not permit dual citizenship, and dual citizens are barred from contesting election, and in view of the upcoming election, how should Ethiopia handle the question of dual citizenship and running for office?
For Dr. Costantinos Berhetesfa, Lecturer and Public policy expert, allowing individuals with dual citizenship to run for office seems rational given that involving them in the political arena will help the government’s effort to open up the political and democratic space. “We have to remember that these people did not willingly change their citizenship as they had to do it due to repression at home, or to have permit to work in foreign lands,” he says before adding, “we have to change the law because people have been forced out of the country and change their citizenship not out of their own will.”
Also, Dr. Costantinos underlines that most of the exiled politicians with dual citizenship are here with the formal invitation of the Prime Minister to participate in the politics and open up the political space. And considering that the opposition groups in the Ethiopian Diaspora have been influential in internal politics, for the most part without any accountability, bringing them in and allowing them to participate seems rational, he noted.
“They have to be allowed to be part of the political spectrum in some manner or form.” Echoing the same sentiment, Mussa Adem, a Political analyst, says that there needs to be some compromise to involve them in the political process as the law and Constitution bars individuals with dual citizenship to run for office, and has constitutional basis. “However, they should not be barred from because, as I see it, they are part of the reform process itself.”
They are input for the political activity and reform that is being undertaken in the country, and can play their own constructive role in the process, he adds. “So, taking into account that the entire legal basis does not allow for individuals/politicians with dual citizenship to take part in the election process, they can be allowed to participate through Ethiopian Origin ID card status, and a temporary identification card until the situation becomes more accommodating.”
As it is a legal issue and there is no legal ground to compromise, Mussa continues to explain, there can be an issuance for them to be allowed to participate in elections through an Origin ID card status, not at constitutional level or as a proclamation act, but at least at procedural level. All in all, Mussa believes people with dual citizenship should be entertained by allowing them to participate through some kind of legal basis at least at procedural level, as I do not think most of them pose any threat and in turn can be helpful to the country’s democratization process.
“So, I think it is better to let them participate in accountable manner and allow them to contribute their part than to bar them from participating.” Dr. Sisay Mengiste, Law Lecturer at Addis Ababa University, for his part, believes that individuals who want to enter into Ethiopian politics should abandon their other nationality/ passport.
“The Ethiopian government has a clear and well defined position when it comes to citizenship in the Constitution.” The government has crafted a legal framework for individuals with dual citizenship to be able to contribute and be part in the social and economic sphere, and contribute to the development and prosperity of the people and country of their origin. But, there is no law that allows people with dual citizenship to be part of the political sphere, as there are restrictions in relation to politically driven public offices, the military and security sectors. “To this end, they have to prepare themselves accordingly.”
According to him, their option is to either abandon their foreign passport and participate in the country’s election/politics, or look for ways to support other Ethiopian politicians in various other ways. Dr. Sisay does not think Ethiopia benefits by allowing people with dual citizenship run for office, because it can pose a threat to national security if they win and assume high public offices and key positions.
Also, as dual citizenship affords both privileges and responsibilities into two separate countries, one can take advantage of the privileges while avoiding the responsibilities, he opines. “I do not know how much benefit Ethiopia would get if a politician operates without any accountability as he can take reckless decisions the consequences of which they do not have to live cause that is what dual citizenship affords him/her”.
The government should seriously look into implementing the law; otherwise the alternative option is to amend the law, he concludes. And given that the national election is coming right around the corner in a little more than a year time, it is about time that clarity is brought on the issue.
The Ethiopian Herald, February 27/2019
BY ROBEL YOHANNES
