Report on Citizenship Law: Zambia detailed information about their biographical information and circumstances surrounding the loss of Zambia citizenship.126 By contrast, a Zambian acquiring a second citizenship only needs to notify the Citizenship Board of the acquisition of the new citizenship by filing a simple standard form. To harmonise dual citizenship with the realities created by the previous constitutions which did not permit it except for those born with dual citizenship, the Constitution allows people who had lost their citizenship under previous constitutions as a consequence of acquiring alternative citizenship to apply for Zambian citizenship to be bestowed on them.127 What is unclear is whether such citizens will be recognised as citizens by registration or can be registered as citizens by birth or descent. The toleration for dual citizenship also creates a complication as regards people entitled to citizenship by descent. Citizens by descent who hold alternative citizenship can get their citizenship formally recognised and documented once their application for dual citizenship under article 39(2) of the Constitution is granted. However, since neither the Constitution nor the Citizenship Act, 2016 provides for registration as a citizen by descent, people entitled to citizenship by descent who either do not hold alternative citizenship or are born after 5th January 2016 will not have a similar right to have their citizenship documented. 3.7 Cessation of citizenship A significant change introduced by the 2016 constitutional amendment is a narrowing of the grounds on which citizenship can be lost. First, as a consequence of the toleration for dual citizenship, an implied renunciation by voluntary acquisition of another citizenship, or automatic cessation by a citizen retaining alternative citizenship under the previous constitutional regimes no longer apply. Therefore, cessation of citizenship is now only by an express renunciation128 and by revocation of citizenship by registration if the registration129 was procured through fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact.130 The Citizenship Act, 2016 introduces an automatic re-acquisition of Zambian citizenship by a person who lodges a declaration of renunciation but does not, within six months after the registration of the declaration, acquire alternative citizenship.131 In addition, the 2016 constitutional regime maintains the notice requirement and right to have an inquiry appointed in the revocation of citizenship procedures contained under the Citizenship Act, 1975.132 However, it additionally creates a right for the person whose citizenship is revoked to appeal to the High Court within thirty days of the Board’s decision.133 As a consequence of the toleration for dual citizenship, citizenship is no longer lost on voluntary acquisition of another citizenship, or retaining another citizenship if a person was born with two citizenships. The criteria for deprivation of citizenship have also been 126 Form VII in the Schedule to the Citizenship of Zambia Regulations, 2017 Article 39(2) of the 2016 Constitution 128 Section 32 of the Citizenship Act, 2016 129 As read with section 27 of the Citizenship Act, 2016 130 Article 40 of the 2016 Constitution. 131 Section 32(6) of the Citizenship Act, 2016 132 See section 31 of the Citizenship Act, 2016 133 Section 30 of the Citizenship Act, 2016 127 RSCAS/GLOBALCIT-CR 2020/14 - © 2020 Author(s) 19

Select target paragraph3