By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
The leaders of the opposition National Grand Coalition (NGC) and All Peoples Congress (APC) parties in parliament have called for the review of the law on dual citizenship which bars Sierra Leoneans who are nationals of other countries from holding elected positions.
NGC leader Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella said in the house on Thursday that the law on dual citizenship must be looked into to make sure that the country’s democracy is inclusive.
“Since we are now saying our President is talk-and-do, then I believe we must now look at the “two-sim” issue. We must review the law to make sure our democracy is inclusive,” he said.
Dr Yumkella’s remarks about the “two-sim”, as it is commonly known, came during his address about the repeal of the country’s Criminal Libel law. Yumkella has been at the receiving end of the law, which is in section 77 K of the 1991 Constitution.
During the 2018 elections, he had to defend himself against a law suit contesting his legitimacy to run for President of Sierra Leone.
Leader of APC, Chernor Bah, supported Yumkella’s call for review of the law: “I support the leader of the NGC for us to revisit the two-sim issue. I am not afraid of competition,” he said.
Bah added: “Quite recently the President was in the UK talking to Sierra Leoneans and said the issue was left with Parliament. And I believe Parliament is ready.”
The “two-sim” issue has proven to be contentious and it still is. Opinion among politicians is split. The two biggest political parties, Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and APC don’t have a consensus within their respective parties regarding the issue.
In Parliament, members from across the aisle were making undertones in support and against the suggestion. A huge concern for some politicians has been that Sierra Leoneans living in the diaspora could just come into the country on the eve of election and buy their way through the political system. Some others are just scared of the competition it will bring on the political landscape.
One man who is not scared to support the review of the law is SLPP lawmaker, Ibrahim Tawa Conteh.
“I have no reservations about that. I will definitely support them. The only thing is that when they are coming they should bring along amended sections of the constitution; that is section 77 K and section 70,” Conteh told Politico during a break.
“I am here on ground, why should I be afraid of someone who is not here,” he remarked.
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