Somalia President Renounces U.S. Citizenship

The president of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has voluntarily renounced his U.S. citizenship.

Coming at a time when many Africans will do whatever it takes to gain a United States citizenship, the president’s actions show audacity. A large majority of African political leaders hold dual citizenship status, especially with their colonial nations.

Many critics believe that this is one of the evidence of neo-colonialism. They argue that dual citizenship status ties their allegiance to the erstwhile colonial masters - who through them control their nations. There is also the argument that due to their dual citizenship status, they tend to birth and raise children who do not consider themselves Africans.

Having children who are born, bred and live abroad, dual citizenship and looted wealth abroad, it is easy to see why many African political leaders do not have the interests of the citizens at heart.

Well, according to the office of the Somalia president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed is no longer interested in being a citizen of the United States of America.

A statement posted on Twitter said President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed made the decision voluntarily, with lawyers involved.

Meanwhile, the opposition in the country has advised citizens not be carried away by the president’s move.

According to them, the president who was elected two years ago is trying to win the hearts of the people. They claim the move was made to boost his re-election bid.

You will recall that the opposition has before now accused the president and other Somali officials of lacking complete loyalty as a result of their dual citizenship.

Before he was elected as Somalia’s president in February 2017, President Mohamed lived for many years in the United States, working as a New York state transportation department official in Buffalo.

Interestingly, during his time in office, the U.S. has dramatically increased airstrikes against the Somali-based al-Shabab extremist group, re-established its diplomatic presence in Somalia and even presented Mohamed with a trucker cap that said: “Make Somalia Great Again.”

“I am proud to serve my people and always believe in their potential to rebuild this nation,” the president tweeted on Thursday.

“I am neither discouraged by our past nor daunted by the enormity of the task ahead. I will continue serving my people honestly with the firm belief that real power rests with the people;” he added.

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Header Image Credit: CGTN Africa - CGTN America