Benin's Beacon: Restoring Roots Through Citizenship for Slave Descendants

In a landmark move, Benin has introduced a citizenship law granting nationality to descendants of slaves looking to reconnect with their African roots. The initiative aims to heal generational wounds and foster a sense of belonging among the Black diaspora.

The law carries significant weight due to Benin's historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, where European merchants deported over a million enslaved individuals from this region. Benin's proactive approach includes initiatives like 'My Afro Origins,' a digital platform for processing applications, and the promotion of 'memorial tourism.'

Memorial sites, especially in Ouidah, play a crucial role by offering emotional and educational experiences that commemorate the past. Grammy-winning artist Ciara, after receiving her citizenship, expressed the profound impact of retracing ancestral journeys along the Slave Route to the Door of No Return.

(With inputs from agencies.)