Liberia: What a Constitutional Clause Reveals About Liberians' Ideas of Citizenship

analysis

In 1973 Liberia introduced its Aliens and Nationality Law. This, and the country's 1986 Constitution, allow only people of "Negro descent" - those who are black - to obtain Liberian citizenship by birth, ancestry or naturalisation. The 1973 law also banned dual citizenship.

Many Liberians at home and abroad have questioned the citizenship regulations. But historical and contemporary developments explain why the laws are seen by some as "protectionary". They are viewed as guarding Liberians against any kind of foreign domination.

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