The right to nationality in Mozambique: The application of ‘Jus soli’ in the fight against statelessness

July 30, 2026

The Makonde community, originally from Mozambique, lived for decades in Kenya without legal recognition or citizenship rights until approximately 6,000 members finally gained Kenyan citizenship in 2016. This statelessness left them unable to access education, healthcare, and other basic services despite being culturally and linguistically integrated into Kenyan society. The essay argues that Mozambique should strengthen its jus soli (birthright citizenship) principle to prevent similar situations, particularly given the armed conflict in Cabo Delgado province that has displaced populations and caused widespread loss of identity documents.

Who is affected

The Makonde community (descendants of exiled freedom fighters, refugees, and colonial-era laborers in Kenya)
Approximately 6,000 ethnic Makondes who gained Kenyan citizenship in 2016
4.4 million stateless individuals worldwide (as of end of 2024)
Internally displaced persons in Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique
Children of refugees and asylum seekers fleeing armed conflict in Cabo Delgado
Stateless individuals denied access to formal education, healthcare, and basic state services

What action is being taken

The essay describes the ongoing armed conflict in Cabo Delgado province that is causing massive loss of identity documents and creating risks of statelessness among displaced populations. No other specific ongoing actions are explicitly described in the article.

Why it matters

Statelessness strips individuals of basic human rights and legal identity, leaving them unable to access education, healthcare, and state services while exposing them to institutional exploitation. The issue becomes particularly urgent during armed conflicts and forced displacement when documentation is lost, creating cycles of hereditary invisibility where children cannot inherit nationality. Implementing territorial citizenship principles like jus soli transforms national borders from barriers into spaces of safety and inclusion, converting marginalized populations into productive, integrated stakeholders rather than creating disenfranchised populations that fragment society and strain state resources.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices