Gambia and Ghana provide that the courts must hear an application from the government for a citizen (by naturalisation only) to be denationalised rather than simply reviewing a decision made by the executive.78 In Liberia, also, the attorney-general must apply to court to make the case for nationality to be taken away; although loss of birth nationality on acquisition of another, or performance of various acts implying acquisition of another (such as voting) applies automatically, with no further procedures, not even an administrative act.79 In Nigeria the president may deprive a naturalised citizen of nationality if “he is satisfied” of certain conditions, including disloyalty80; in Sierra Leone the law provides simply that “the minister may, by order, deprive” a naturalised citizen of citizenship on certain conditions.81 In the civil law countries, these decisions are made by the executive, but the administrative tribunals are charged with oversight of executive decision-making in the area of nationality as in other decisions. All West African States provide that a person may renounce his or her nationality, though in some cases this is subject to permission if military service or other obligations apply. Most provide that nationality may not be renounced unless the person has confirmation of another nationality; but not in all cases. In Liberia, for example, the nationality law provides for a person to be able to renounce nationality without any requirement to hold the nationality of another country.82 2.6.8. Non-existent systems for the protection of stateless persons Many West African states have recently ratified the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons (see annex 8.3); however, no West African country has any procedures in place to identify and provide a status for stateless persons (not even Guinea and Liberia, which ratified the treaty in the 1960s). While such a status should be a last resort for those without documentation – the first option should be to recognise the individual’s right to the nationality of a particular country, ideally the country where he or she has the closest links – it is important to have in place a process to regularise the legal status of those who fall into the gaps between different systems of law and facilitate their acquisition of a nationality through naturalisation. 78 Gambia Constitution, article 13; Ghana Constitution 1992, article 8. This is by contrast with the situation in the common law countries of Southern Africa of which many give much more discretion to the executive. See Bronwen Manby, Statelessness in Southern Africa, Briefing paper for UNHCR Regional Conference on Statelessness in Southern Africa Mbombela (Nelspruit), South Africa 1-3 November 2011, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 2012. 79 Liberia Aliens and Nationality Law 1973 Art 22.1 and 22.2. 80 Nigeria Constitution 1999, article 30. 81 Sierra Leone Citizenship Act, 1973, Section 17. 82 Liberia Aliens and Nationality Law 1973 Art 22.1. 30