to the authorization of a governmental decree, it is implicit in the Nationality Code, as well as accepted in widespread practice, that other forms of dual nationality are permitted by Ivorian law, including for people who possess two nationalities from birth. 3.2.8. Loss and renunciation of nationality The Ivorian Nationality Code distinguishes between the loss/renunciation (Title IV, Chapter 1 entitled “perte”)94 and deprivation (Title IV, Chapter 2, entitled “déchéance”) of nationality with the difference between these categories in the consequences. In general, the Code foresees loss/renunciation in instances where an Ivorian acquires another nationality. Given that such loss can occur automatically, however, loss resembles deprivation in several instances. Nevertheless, for individuals who have lost Ivorian nationality pursuant to the instances set forth in Title IV, Chapter 1, the Nationality Code allows such individuals to apply to reacquire Ivorian nationality pursuant to Articles 34-38. By contrast those individuals who are deprived of their nationality pursuant to Article 54 are not eligible to apply to reacquire Ivorian nationality unless the conditions for the deprivation of nationality in Article 54 are legally expunged. The rules contained in both chapters pertaining to loss, renunciation, and deprivation are problematic with respect to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness on a number of procedural due process points, as well as for the lack of safeguards against statelessness, and should be revised to bring the Nationality Code into conformity with its treaty obligations. The Ivorian Nationality Code foresees five scenarios for the loss or renunciation of Ivorian nationality. The first two circumstances in Articles 48 and 49 are discussed above.95 With respect to loss, Article 51 allows an Ivorian woman marrying a foreigner to conserve her Ivorian nationality unless she makes an oath that she wishes to renounce her Ivorian nationality prior to a civil marriage ceremony. This provision establishes strict formal conditions a woman must follow to submit an oath of renunciation. It also contains a safeguard against statelessness, in that an oath of renunciation of Ivorian nationality is only valid when a woman proves she acquires or can acquire the nationality of her husband according to the nationality laws of his country. This provision respects the free will of an Ivorian woman to choose whether to retain or renounce her Ivorian nationality upon marriage to a foreigner, but perpetuates gender inequality in offering the option to renounce Ivorian nationality through declaration only to Ivorian women, and not to Ivorian men, marrying foreigners. To achieve full gender equality in this regard, Article 51 can be amended in a gender-neutral manner and could even be harmonized with Article 49. In other words, one uniform renunciation procedure could be adopted for individuals who acquire dual nationality (through marriage as in Article 51 or other means as in Article 49) and a choice could be made as to whether the procedure to obtain authorization to renounce nationality would involve either the issuance of a decree on the part of State authorities or through a solemn oath by the concerned individual. There are two additional grounds for loss of Ivorian nationality. Article 52 provides for the automatic loss by decree of Ivorian nationality for Ivorian nationals who comport themselves as nationals of a foreign country.96 Article 53 foresees loss of Ivorian nationality if someone continues to occupy a post in the public service or army of a foreign State, in spite of an injunction made by the 94 Although the Title of the Nationality Code only mentions “loss” explicitly, the Code foresees several scenarios according to which Ivorians can voluntarily renounce or “repudiate” their nationality. 95 In all cases, Article 50 provides that a person who loses Ivorian nationality is freed from his or her allegiance to Côte d’Ivoire either at the time of the voluntary acquisition of nationality in adulthood (Article 48) or at the time of the signing of the decree authorizing the renunciation of nationality (Article 49). 96 The consequences of such loss of Ivorian nationality in Article 52 can also be extended to the concerned individual’s spouse and minor children, provided that they also possess a foreign nationality. 28