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Government shouldn't have final say on dual citizenship, says Chipimo

Government shouldn't have final say on dual citizenship, says Chipimo
By Ernest Chanda
Sun 10 June 2012, 12:59 CAT

ELIAS Chipimo says President Michael Sata's opposing view on dual citizenship causes public worry because of the history attached to constitution-making processes in the country.

Commenting on President Sata's opposition to the clause in the draft constitution, Chipimo who is opposition National Restoration Party president said the government should not have the final say on the process.

He said President Sata's view on the matter would be fine if the constitution-making process had not been hijacked in the past by successive governments.

"And if we really are to have a process which will stand the test of time, and that will produce a constitution that will be accepted by everybody, we need to ensure that the Executive does not have the final say on what goes into the constitution," said Chipimo.

"And that's where I have a concern; I have no real problem with the President making his views known on a particular issue. It's particularly worrying in this case because we know that the Executive is not intending to relinquish the right to have the final say to the people of Zambia."

Responding to a question on Wednesday from a Zambian living in England during a dinner hosted for him at the Zambian High Commissioner's residence in London, President Sata said amending the law to allow dual citizenship had its consequences.

President Sata said if the law was changed, there would be more Zambians and jobs would be taken away by foreigners living in the country.

He advised Zambians in the Diaspora to return home and compete for jobs with their compatriots.

President Sata said he had a duty to protect the majority of Zambians, especially poor citizens.

Labels: CONSTITUTION, DUAL CITIZENSHIP, ELIAS CHIPIMO

posted by MrK @ 2:16 PM