![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/commentary2.jpg\" "\\"commentary\\"")
The debate on whether individuals with dual citizenship should contest parliamentary elections here in Dominica and certainly the region seemingly has suffered some form of paralysis particularly as we await the decision of the High Court in a recent election petition matter.<\/p>\n
Indeed the Caribbean awaits, perhaps with bated breath this landmark court ruling. Whatever the Judge\u2019s ruling on the matter, further court proceedings will most definitely follow. The end is indeed not necessarily near.<\/p>\n
That court case aside though, there remains the larger more compelling debate about whether individuals with dual citizenship should be allowed to participate in the electioneering process here. That debate must of necessity be allowed to continue with some intensity but minus the acrimony, name calling and innuendos. The debate must move from where it presently is and taken to another height, yes, another level.<\/p>\n
The long, mostly partisan driven points of view, more often based on pure political drivel must be filtered out thus allowing the discussion to rise to a crescendo where partisan colours or subjective partisan persuasions does not feature in the manner it presently is.<\/p>\n
If necessary, civil society, non-partisan state actors among others must take the lead and guide the discussion away from the narrow gauntlet of merely seeking to unseat the incumbent government. That strategy will not do. It will only isolate a sizeable proportion of the community to the point of sheer disconnect with the issue. Now is the time for real statesmanship in all its purity of purpose. Can we therefore rise to that level of political maturity? Can we discuss a national expediency without the name calling? Can we therefore find in ourselves the right attitude and moved by an objective purpose, rise to those celestial and dizzying heights of absolute statesmanship. Are we willing to try?<\/p>\n
My view on the matter is simple. Given the limited human resource base of the resident population and aware of the vast pool of Dominican expertise that is dispersed throughout the diaspora, isn\u2019t it desirable therefore, that as a nation we seek to attract and harness every available skill set and expertise that potentially could be made available to developing Dominica.<\/p>\n
I am thinking of business managers, developers, planners, economists, resource managers, medical personnel, agronomists, engineers, social workers, educators, technologists, scientists, researchers, civil servants, financiers, etc. Few among us would disagree that we are in need of such skills and expertise. Such human resource skills, with or without dual citizenship are needed across every sector, even at the policy, political and ministerial level in Dominica. The only skill set we can do without are those of the gangsters and mobsters who have refined and honed their skills in the inner cities of the northern metropolis.<\/p>\n
Presently, Dominicans with dual citizenship are constrained by law from taking part in the electoral process as elected members of parliament. They can however participate otherwise in Dominica\u2019s development. The obvious question next is. Should Dominica consider making it possible for nationals with dual citizenship to participate in the country\u2019s development process at the level of parliament? I am of the view that if positive consideration is given to the issue, this must be limited to Dominicans born in Dominica even if they possess foreign citizenship.<\/p>\n
In order words, a person with Dominican citizenship either through naturalization, economic citizenship, or by virtue of being married to a Dominican or someone of Dominican parentage alone should not qualify for such a privilege. However, a person claiming Dominican citizenship as a result of Dominican parentage may be allowed to serve but only after first renouncing the citizenship of his birth place.<\/p>\n
Those with dual citizenship and desirous of serving Dominica at the highest level must first meet a period of permanent residency in Dominica for a period of no less than three years immediately preceding the date on which nomination for the said elections is to take place. Such a provision would allow for political acclimatization with local issues, reintroduction to state apparatus and functionaries and generally to gain a greater understanding of Dominica\u2019s development agenda.<\/p>\n
Where such an individual finds favor with the voters and the leader of the government, he\/she must be voided from taking up any employment (short or long-term) outside of Dominica for the duration of his\/her tenure as an MP or Minister. Any failure in this regard would render his\/her position vacant forthwith. Certain ministerial portfolios such as that of Prime minister, Ministers of Finance and Legal Affairs must be retained by Dominicans without dual citizenship. The other existing qualification provisions for elections to the parliament of Dominica must also apply.<\/p>\n
I have concluded the above because I am of the firm opinion that there are Dominican nationals who through circumstance, often times beyond their control have taken up citizenship of another country but who have never, ever wavered in their commitment and allegiance to Dominica. They have the skills, training and experiences which we need. Some do have the right attitude and aptitude. I happen to know a few. Their commitment to Dominica which is clearly demonstrated by what they have achieved for the country speaks volumes for their commitment to Dominica.<\/p>\n
There are also some Dominican nationals in the diaspora whose only interest is in the politics of Dominica and who are still not prepared to give up their privileged positions (albeit second class citizens) in those \u201cgreener pastures\u201d. Many think only of themselves. Having arrived at their life goals, they never spare a moment in \u201ctalking down\u201d on those of us who have remained at home and borne the crunch of taking Dominica thus far. Whatever we do in this regard, care must be taken not to open the door for such peddlars of selfish motives, as we have seen recently. They hold the view that the only way they can contribute to Dominica\u2019s development is by getting involved in the political governance of the country \u2013 much of which is misguided and \u201cfull of yourself\u201d attitude.<\/p>\n
I have submitted my views on the issue only to provoke thought and discussion for some time even beyond the final stages of the ongoing court matter. It is noteworthy that many other voices with regional credentials, which I cannot even dream of, have sought to advance the view that we can no longer remain tied to the status quo. Surely, the time has come for us to rise above and soar beyond our ulterior motives to find that sincere spirit of Dominican nationalism. Are we bold and courageous enough to face boldly what is still today a vexing and divisive issue?<\/p>\n
Yes, we can.<\/p>\n
Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Dominica News Online.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The debate on whether individuals with dual citizenship should contest parliamentary elections here in Dominica and certainly the region seemingly has suffered some form of paralysis particularly as we await the decision of the High Court in a recent election…","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n