MONROVIA, January27 (LINA) -President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has urged members of the 53rd National Legislature to consider passing into law the dual citizenship bill currently before the body.

 
In 2014, the 53rd National Legislature in its 3rd sitting refused to pass the dual citizenship bill against the backdrop it is not in the interest of the Liberian people and nation.
 
However, President Sirleaf explained that it is necessary to enable Liberians who were compelled to seek refuge in other countries become active participants in the process of nation-building.
 
The President’s statement was contained in her annual State of the Nation address to the 53rd National Legislature on Monday in keeping with Article 58 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution.
 
An estimated 100,000 Liberians live in the United States, a considerable number of whom fled the 14-year civil war and have now obtained American citizenship.
 
A delegation from the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas visited the country last year to lobby decision-makers to pass the dual citizenship bill.
 
Liberian nominees to government positions with another citizenship have been severally rejected by the Senate during confirmation hearings.
LINA