HARARE Zimbabwes coalition government must allow dual citizenship for the countrys nationals living abroad and consider a range of tax sweeteners to entice non-resident Zimbabweans to invest in the post-crisis reconstruction of the country, according to a report published last week.The report, titled Moving Forward in Zimbabwe Reducing Poverty and Promoting Growth, said Zimbabweans in the Diaspora needed to feel that the inclusive government valued them as citizens and does not view them as individuals with divided loyalties. Confidence boosting measures would include allowing dual nationality, restoring voting rights of migrants who hold Zimbabwean citizenship and creating mechanisms and platforms for them to be heard, said the report compiled by the University of Manchesters Brooks World Poverty
Institute in conjunction with a group of Zimbabweans.
The plan would also see the more than three million disenfranchised Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora having their voting rights restored to enable them to participate in the countrys socio-political development.
About a quarter of Zimbabwes 12 million people have left the country since 2000 to escape economic hardships and political repression. President Robert Mugabes government has in previous elections denied the exiles most of who are believed to support the former opposition Movement for Democratic Change the opportunity to vote saying it did not have the resources to enable all Zimbabweans spread across the globe to vote. Only Zimbabweans posted abroad on government duty have been able to vote by post in previous elections.
The report writers said that in return for relaxing its citizenship laws, Harare should consider levying its citizens who opt for dual citizenship. In exchange, migrants should be prepared to pay an annual tax for retaining the Zimbabwean nationality, the writers said.
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