By our Reporter
In his first State of the Nation address, Liberian new President George Weah has supported an amendment of the constitution to change the laws on citizenship.
He wants Liberians to vote in a pending national referendum no to restrict citizenship to people of the black race, something he described as “racist and discriminatory.”
But the new leader want the Liberian law change to include people of other races,
“It also contradicts the very definition of Liberia, which is derived from the Latin word “liber,” Meaning “Liberty.” I believe that we should have nothing to fear from people of any other race becoming citizen of Liberia, once they conform to the requirements of our Immigration and Naturalization Laws, as maybe appropriately amended to address this new situation.”
He went on: “In fact, we have everything to gain. If we look in our region amongst the other member states of ECOWAS, especially our neighbors in La Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, it will soon be observed that permitting people of other races to become citizens has not marginalized their indigenes.
I believe that this is an anomaly that should not have found its way into the 1986 Constitution [Chapter 4, Article 27]. I therefore strongly recommend and propose, respectfully, that consideration should be given to removing it by appropriate measures provided for in our laws for amending the Constitution [Chapter 12],” President Weah said.
The new Liberian leader also wants current laws to be changed to legalize dual citizenship in the country, in order to give Liberians abroad with foreign citizenship the right to enjoy the benefits of their Liberian citizenship when they return home.
Weah also spoke of the need for land reform so that white and other races can own land to help in the development of the country.
This, he said will be a genuine indication that the government is really serious about his pronouncement made in his January 22, 2018 inauguration speech that “Liberia is opened for business”.
“No foreign investor – in fact, not any investor – will be willing to make significant direct investments in our country if they cannot own property in fee simple. Furthermore, direct investments placed on leased properties are virtually unbankable, because most banks are reluctant to accept leaseholds as collateral for loans to persons and business entities for projects that could very well enhance our development and create jobs for our people. It is inconsistent with my pronouncement that “Liberia is open for business”, while at the same time denying those who would heed our call and come to Liberia to invest, when they are prevented from owning property because of their lack of Liberian citizenship,” the Liberian leader said in his State of the Nation address.