Caroline Nalule and Anna Nambooze
on the basis of birth in the Sultan’s dominions, but not to subjects or citizens of specified
countries, which included France140. Since Comoros was a French colony, Comorians in
Zanzibar remained French subjects141.
The 1963 independence constitution of Zanzibar established citizenship by birth for
every person born (whether before or after the commencement of the Constitution) within the
Dominions of the Sultan to parents either of whom was a Zanzibar subject142. Accordingly,
Comorians had to register and apply for a certificate of naturalisation143. During the 1964
revolution, since Comorians were associated with the Arabs, they too became victims of the
violence. In the aftermath and after the Union with Tanganyika, some Comorians, specifically
those that had served under the Sultanate, were repatriated back to Comoros.
In the last half of the 1960s and early 1970s, Comorians were the subject of a census, a
government-led crackdown on schools, also threats of expulsion unless they naturalised as
Tanzanians144 and dismissals from public office145. Even for those that naturalised, some were
later to have their passports revoked on the “grounds that they had been issued in error”146. To
date, although eligible Comorians may acquire Tanzania citizenship by applying for
naturalisation, those that have not obtained citizenship may be considered as illegal migrants.
4.3 The Makonde
The Makonde migration from Northern Mozambique started before colonial times for reasons
that included escaping mosquito and tsetse fly infestations, and raids from the Ngoni people.
A large number of the Makonde, however, settled in present-day Tanzania during the colonial
times when they were brought in to work on the plantations. Since they originated from a
Portuguese colony, they were excluded from the nationality laws of either Tanganyika or
Zanzibar. They could however apply for naturalisation under citizenship provisions of the
Constitution and the law147. Despite the legal opportunity to apply for citizenship, it seems like
most of the Makonde did not naturalise, possibly because of their social and economic
marginalisation, coupled with the bureaucratisation of the naturalisation process.
Consequently, most of the Makonde remain in Zanzibar without formal recognition as citizens
of Tanzania148.
4.4 Long-term refugees in Tanzania
Since most African countries gained independence, they have experienced civil wars and
conflicts of sorts. Most of Tanzania’s neighbours have been no exception. Conflicts in
Mozambique, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and Uganda, to mention but some, led to many people
140
The Nationality Decree, Cap 39 of 1952, section 1 (2) and Schedule 3.
Manby, Statelessness, supra note 130, p.63.
142
The Constitution of the State of Zanzibar, 1963, Article 1(a).
143
Ibid, Article 3.
144
Manby, Statelessness, supra note 130, p.63.
145
T A Mohamed (2006), ‘Les Comoriens de Zanzibar durant la Révolution Okello (1964-1972), Journal des
Africanistes, Vol. 76-2’ pp. 137 – 154, available at https://journals.openedition.org/africanistes/819, accessed on
2 October 2019.
146
Manby, Statelessness, supra note 130, p.64.
147
The Constitution of Zanzibar, 1993, sections 1(a) & 3; the Nationality Decree, 1952, sections 5 & schedule 1.
148
Manby, Statelessness, supra note 130, pp. 64-5.
141
RSCAS/GLOBALCIT-CR 2020/6 - © 2020 Author(s)
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