In 2006, the Parliament amended the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act of 1973 to grant dual citizenship
to Sierra Leoneans who have acquired citizenship in another country to hold dual citizenship.

This amendment was made possible largely in part by members of the Diaspora. The idea of dual
citizenship had been floating around for some time now. Most notably it was mentioned during
the Sierra Leone Homecoming Summit in December 2006 as an action item.  Through the advocacy
of the Sierra Leone Network and its contact with the Office of the President, the new citizenship
act was signed into law.

On its face
The old bill provided “that any person of Sierra Leonean parentage who carries foreign citizenship
and is past the age of majority (age 21) was automatically deemed to have lost their Sierra Leonean
citizenship.”

The new bill allows Sierra Leonean citizens (as defined in the act) to retain or have their Sierra Leonean
citizenship automatically restored without undergoing the previous cumbersome and subjective application process.

What it means
In addition to removing the barrier of having to obtain a visa each time you travel home; Sierra Leoneans
in the Diaspora with dual citizenship have access to a new bundle of rights and responsibilities. Rights
include the ability to participate by voting in elections, to hold freehold property in the Western Area
( a likely impetus to other investments) and the pride of legal attachment to your mother land.

The Act - The Sierra Leone Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2006 [No. 11 of 2006]
BEING AN ACT to amend the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act, 1973 so as to grant the right of dual citizenship
and citizenship by birth directly through the mother.
Amends the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act, 1973.