Ciara is one of the first public figures to become a citizen of Benin under a recent law by the small West African country. The law aims to grant citizenship to the descendants of people who are enslaved. The ceremony of honor and follow -up is part of the wider initiative of Benin to attract the black diaspora at home.

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Ciara is called at home!

The winning artist of a Grammy acquired his citizenship from Benin during a ceremony in Cotonou on Saturday July 26, by the Associated Press. This decision is part of the country’s initiative to attract the black diaspora, to recognize its role in the transatlantic slave trade and promote tourism focused on souvenir sites linked to slavery.

“By legally recognizing these children in Africa, Benin heals a historical injury. It is an act of justice, but also that of belonging and hope,” said justice minister Yvon Detchénou during the Ciara ceremony.

After its citizenship ceremony, Ciara visited the historic city. There she traveled the slave road to the door without return.“Between emotion, reflection and heritage, I experienced a deep return to what really matters”, “ She said. The singer now has the same rights as any other citizen in Benin.

More details on the Benin citizenship initiative

In September, Benin adopted a law granting citizenship to those whose line can be attributed to the slave trade. It is open to anyone who is more than 18 years old who does not already have another African citizenship. The individual must also provide proof that the trade of expelled slaves or an ancestor from anywhere in sub -Saharan Africa. Beninian authorities accept DNA tests, authenticated testimonies and family files. Last week, the government launched my Afro origins, the digital platform that deals with applications.

Although Benin is not the first country to grant citizenship to the descendants of slaves, its citizenship law is of additional importance. This is due to the role of the role Benin played in the transatlantic slave trade.

What role did the African country play in the slave trade?

European merchants have expelled around 1.5 million people slavery from Bight from Benin to the Americas. This region includes current Benin, Togo and certain parts of Nigeria. The Beninese Kings have actively participated in the capture and sale of people slavery to Portuguese, French and British merchants. The ancient kingdoms and the communities they have attacked still exist today as tribal networks.

Benin has long been working to reconcile with its contaminated heritage. He openly recognized his role in the slave trade, a position not shared by many other African nations that participated.

In the 1990s, he organized an international conference to examine how and where slaves were sold. In 1999, the president of the time Mathieu Kérékou apologized to African-Americans during a visit to a church in Baltimore.

In addition, “commemorative tourism” was an approach to the Government of Benin to attract Afro-discharge. The commemorative sites are mainly found in Ouidah, one of the most active slave trading ports in Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. A site is the road to the slaves, which was the way marking the last trip of the enslaved people. Another site is the door without return, a haunting door that opens onto the Atlantic Ocean – the last stop before slave traders force Africans to leave their homes and families behind.

The author of the Associated Press, Mark Banchereau, contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.