Campaign for the Recognition of Dual Citizenship in Cameroon

Progressive Initiative for Cameroon (PICAM) is calling for the recognition of Dual Nationality in Cameroon. In an era when international trade, economic integration and large-scale migration are all on dramatically upward long-term trends, many of the traditional constrictions governing the idea of citizenship are weakening. Especially considering the comparative ease of international travel to that of decades previous, the prospect of individuals possessing multiple, simultaneous homelands has become increasingly prominent.

PICAM recognizes that globalization has created the possibility of ‘global citizens’ and modern migration statistics demonstrate the undeniable presence of individuals who may today call two countries home. This, in turn, has led to renewed interest in the possibility of such immigrants holding dual nationality and, where a country’s policy currently prohibits such dual citizenships, a renewed push to make nationality law reflect the new global reality. This is the case of Cameroon where dual nationality is not recognized.

Cameroon nationality law is laid forth primarily in Law No. 1968-LF-3 of June 11th 1968, “To Set up the Cameroon Nationality Code”, with supplementary procedural detail provided in Decree No. 1968 DF-478 of the 16th December 1968, “To Establish Rules of Procedure Under the Nationality Code”. There are three primary methods for attaining Cameroon nationality - birth, marriage, and naturalization. There are three main ways by which Cameroon nationality can be lost or forfeited - by acquisition or retention of a foreign nationality, by voluntary renunciation of Cameroonian nationality, and by government decree.

PICAM recognizes that the negative ramifications of prohibiting Cameroonian nationals from acquiring concurrent foreign citizenship span a broad and deep set of quandaries stretching from personal and family trauma, to macroeconomic inclinations, which affect the potentials of the country and those of its nationals. Current Cameroon nationality law fails to take advantage of world economic integration trends and interrelationship between countries. As such, PICAM holds strongly that Cameroon needs to urgently reconsider its citizenship laws as it would be more beneficial to the country and its people to allow Cameroonians to maintain concurrent nationalities. The consequences of restricting dual nationality have been analyzed in detail in the policy paper published by PICAM to this effect.

PICAM Policy Paper on the Need to Recognize Dual Nationality has been sent to the following:
• The President of the Republic of Cameroon
• The Prime Minister of the Republic of Cameroon
• The Cameroonian Ambassador to the United States
• Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization
• Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Cameroon
• All Political Parties Represented in the Cameroon National Assembly

The Dual Citizenship campaign webpage is:
http://www.picam.org/campaigns/Campaign-for-Dual-Citizenship-in-Cameroon.htm

The PICAM Policy Paper on the Need to Recognize Dual Citizenship in Cameroon can be downloaded at:
http://www.picam.org/policy-papers/The-Need-to-Recognize-Dual-Citizenship-in-Cameroon.pdf

Your signature is very important to support this campaign. We call on you to sign this campaign as soon as possible to help move this issue forward. All signatures will be forwarded to the above listed individuals/institutions and other stakeholders who are in a position to help make a difference. Thanks for adding your voice to the call for Dual Citizenship in Cameroon.