DAKAR, Senegal (AP) – U.S. singer Ciara has become one of the first public figures to obtain citizenship in Benin under a new law that allows descendants of slaves to gain citizenship. This significant event took place during a ceremony on Saturday in Cotonou, emphasizing Benin’s efforts to reconnect with the Black diaspora, recognize its historical role in the transatlantic slave trade, and enhance tourism focused on slavery-related sites.
The citizenship acquisition by the Grammy-winning artist was celebrated by Benin's Justice Minister Yvon Détchénou, who remarked, “By legally recognizing these children of Africa, Benin is healing a historical wound. It is an act of justice, but also one of belonging and hope.” This reflects the broader aim of Benin's government to attract those linked to the African diaspora.
In September, Benin enacted a forward-thinking citizenship law that allows individuals over 18, who can trace their ancestry to the transatlantic slave trade, to apply for citizenship. Applicants must not hold other African citizenship and must provide evidence of their lineage. The Beninese government accepts various forms of documentation, including DNA tests, authenticated testimonies, and family records, in support of citizenship claims. Recently, the launch of a digital platform called My Afro Origins has simplified the application process for interested applicants.
While not the first nation to introduce legislation for granting citizenship to descendants of slaves, Benin’s law holds particular significance due to the nation’s deep historical connections to the slave trade. European merchants are estimated to have deported around 1.5 million enslaved people from the Bight of Benin, now encompassing modern-day Benin, Togo, and parts of Nigeria, to the Americas. Moreover, Beninese kings were actively involved in the capture and sale of enslaved people to European traders, and remnants of these former kingdoms exist today as tribal networks.
In recent years, Benin has actively worked to reconcile with its past complicity in the slave trade. Acknowledgment of this historical role is often not shared by many African nations involved in the trade. Back in the 1990s, Benin hosted an international conference focused on the slave trade. Furthermore, in 1999, then-President Mathieu Kérékou offered an apology to African Americans during a visit to a church in Baltimore, marking a significant step towards healing historical wounds.
Alongside this national reckoning, Benin has also promoted “memorial tourism” as part of its strategy to connect with afro-descendants. Memorial sites linked to the slave trade are primarily located in Ouidah, a significant center for slave trading in the 18th and 19th centuries. Notable locations include the Slave Route, which illustrates the journeys enslaved individuals undertook to reach ships, and the Door of No Return, a poignant structure opening to the Atlantic Ocean, signifying the last point of farewell for hundreds of thousands of Africans. Sindé Chekete, head of Benin’s state-run tourism agency, highlighted that these sites provide a chance for afro-descendants to honor their ancestors’ struggles and resilience and can inspire a desire for some to reconnect with their heritage by choosing Benin as their destination.
After her ceremony, Ciara engaged in exploring the historic aspects of Cotonou, including walking the Slave Route to the Door of No Return. Reflecting on her experience, she stated, “Between emotion, reflection, and heritage, I experienced a profound return to what truly matters.” This visit underscores the intertwined nature of past and present, illuminating the ongoing journey toward belonging and healing for descendants of the diaspora.
