The Phenomenon of Multiple Nationality and Its Implications under Cameroonian Law

Abstract

In the light of globalization and economic trends of every nationality law [1], economic integration and increase in migration with the idea of citizenship continue to decrease. When considering the ease of international travel to that of decades ago, the prospect of individuals possessing multiple citizenships simultaneously has increased. With the advent of globalization, the notion or possibility of citizens possessing global citizenship has been on the rise. To this effect, modern statistics have demonstrated that the undeniable presence of individuals who may call two countries home has become a controversial issue of high debate on the nationality scene. This, in turn, has led to the increased interest in the possibility of citizens to hold dual nationality and, where a country’s policy currently prohibits such dual citizenship, a perfect and encouraging factor to make the concept of nationality law a reality in the global scene. As a result of this, the general world trend is towards a more open citizenship regime in which increasing numbers of countries allow their citizens to possess the nationality of another country and even going to the extent of possessing naturalization as far as this will contribute positively to the economy of the country of origin of this citizen. The situation of double citizenship is lookedin a different perspective under the Cameroon nationality law. Notably, Cameroonian nationality law is exclusive, as they consider that the acquisition of a foreign citizenship is an automatic reason for loss of Cameroonian nationality and this phenomenon has created lots of implications on the Cameroonian society from the economic, social, political, and even cultural denominations.