Zambians resident in the Tri-State – New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – in USA have commended His Excellency, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia for fulfilling his promise to enact the Dual Citizenship law.
This is contained in a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations Chibaula Silwamba.
President Lungu on Tuesday 5th January 2016 assented to the bills passed by Parliament, thereby bringing into effect the Constitution of Zambia Act, No. 1 of 2016 and the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act. No. 2 of 2016, which may be cited as Constitution of Zambia Act, 2015 and the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act, 2015, respectively.
Following the enactment of the amendments, several Zambians resident in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have been phoning the Zambian Mission to the UN in New York to express their gratitude to the President and recalling his assurance to them on 30th September 2015 that he would pass the Dual Citizenship clause they had requested for.
In separate congratulatory messages to President Lungu conveyed to the Zambian Mission, leaders of the Tri-State Association of Zambians and the Zambian Family Association in the Tri-State expressed their members’ gratitude.
Tri-State Association of Zambians president Mr. Ernest Masheke said: “On behalf of Tri-State Association of Zambians and all Zambians in the Diaspora, I would like to congratulate the President of the Republic of Zambia His Excellency Mr. Edgar Lungu and his office for granting dual-citizenship. During the recent visit to New York, I had an opportunity to speak with the President on behalf of the Zambians living in the Diaspora about how important dual citizenship will be to all the Zambians.
“Within a short period of time, His Excellency approved and signed the dual citizenship law which has made all the Zambians excited.
“The Zambian community living in the state of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are now looking into the opportunity of investing in Zambia, fulfilling their dreams and having the rights to travel to Zambia and participate in the elections. I believe this law will bring a lot of advantages to Zambians and effectively contribute to the development of the country. Your Excellency we would like to thank you for this important task that you took upon yourself after hearing our voices.”
Zambian Family Association in the Tri-State chairperson, Mr. Patmo Shipo, said: “H.E President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has lived to his promise [to enact] dual Citizenship. This is a very courageous step that most Zambians in the Diaspora who wished this process a success can applaud.
“Dual Nationality will provide so many benefits and privileges under the leadership of our current President and those that will succeed him. Travelling restrictions will be alleviated and property ownership in either country will be easier. Social service system and business in general will have a new [and] different outlook. Having dual Citizenship gives us a new opportunity to enlighten others about the culture and people of two different nationalities.
“We wish to express our sincere heart felt gratitude to our President for opening up opportunities and encouraging all stakeholders to keep the wheels of our Zambian economy turning.”
President Lungu had addressed Zambians resident in USA on 30th September 2015 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where he had earlier delivered his maiden statement to the global body.
During the meeting, President Lungu assured Zambians in the Diaspora that he would enact the Dual Citizenship law and that the Government would implement the Diaspora Policy to accord nationals at home and abroad opportunities to participate in the development of the country.
The President called on Zambians in the Diaspora to invest back home and partner with foreign investors to accelerate Zambia’s development.
long overdue
What is it that you can do now that you could not do before?
This is too much ado about nothing!
When did that Tri-state association formed, last week?? We DON’T know it. But we know Enerst how can he claim he is the one convinced Edgar Lungu to approved that meanless dual citizenship during that drinking party by PF in N.York ?
@1PLUS1 …
A family of 5 traveling to Zambia using US Passports would have paid $225 at the port of entry even if they are Zambians by birth. Now using a Zambian Passport these individuals can save $225 and give Bana Kulu more money.
Now this is just one thing they can now do that was not possible before, there is a list of things such as taxes, etc. that comes with dual citizenship within IRS rules that they can now have access to … the list is endless.
Ciao …
Let’s hope you will honour your Zambian nationality as much as your given new nationalities. And that you will remember at all times to be good citizens and patriots in both countries.
Can someone tell me where I can find this bill so I can know what it really covers. What qualifies one to apply. It’s straight forward for people born in Zambia . What about children whose parents where not Zambian but got adopted in a second marriage to a Zambian. How long people have to be married to a Zambia to qualify? Etc etc
PART IV
CITIZENSHIP
33. A person who was a citizen of Zambia, immediately before
the commencement of thisConstitution, shall continue to be a citizen
of Zambia and shall retain the same citizenship category from the
date the citizenship was acquired.
34. Citizenshipmay be acquired by birth, descent, registration
or adoption in accordancewith this Part.
35. (1) A person born in Zambia is a citizen by birth if, at the
date of that person’s birth, at least one parent of that person is or
was a citizen.
(2) A child found in Zambia who is, or appears to be, of not
more than eight years of age and whose nationality and parents
are not known, shall be presumed to be a citizen by birth.
(3) For the purposes of this Part, a person born aboard—
(a) a registered ship or aircraft of a…
Well done President Lungu. You kept your word and have done something remarkable.
You have my vote this year.
God Bless you
Amen
Everyone I know in England also really commend the president for supporting a people driven constitution that recommended the dual citizenship
Zàmbiàn people to be thanked not chakolwa. He just endorsed.
I salute you My President for bringing DUAL CITIZENSHIP. May you live longer
@Eunice. He did not bring it, he signed a revised a constitution that would have been signed by every Jim and Jack that would have been in his position at the moment.
At least President Lungu has given part of the loaf of bread which Kabimba and the late Sata would never have done. Imagine if President had followed the so-called Sata legacy!!! We would have just languished. People like HH would’ve have been in and out of court into cells and back to courts. Thank you Jesus for the change in PF.