A Black Republic: Citizenship and naturalisation requirements in Liberia

Type Journal Article - Migration Letters
Title A Black Republic: Citizenship and naturalisation requirements in Liberia
Author(s)
Volume 13
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
Page numbers 84-99
URL http://www.tplondon.com/journal/index.php/ml/article/viewFile/558/447
Abstract
In 1822 Liberia was founded as a place where free(d) enslaved African Americans could
find freedom and liberty. While many of them did, the indigenous African population
was, for a long time, excluded from citizenry despite fulfilling one of the essential
criteria to be eligible for Liberians citizenship: Being Black. This prerequisite remains
part of Liberian law today, rendering non-Blacks ineligible for Liberian citizenship.
Today, this mostly affects the Lebanese community who originally came as traders and
entrepreneurs to Liberia. This article analyses why Liberians defend race-based
exclusionary citizenship practices.

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