Dakar, Senegal (AP) – American singer Ciara is one of the first public personalities to have recently become a citizen of Benin The law from a small West African country granting citizenship to the descendants of enslaved people.
The acquisition of Grammy’s citizenship winning at Coton on Saturday in Coton is part of Benin’s wider initiative to attract black diaspora, acknowledges the role of the country in the transatlantic slave trade, and supports tourism focused on Remirstrance’s memories.
“Legally recognized by these children in Africa, Benin heals a historical blow. It is an act of justice, but also belonging and hopes,” justice Minister Yvon Detchena said.
Here’s what to know about Benin’s efforts to welcome the descendants of enslaved people:
In September, Benin passed a law that granted citizenship to those who can trace their line for slave trade.
It is open to anyone over 18 years of age who no longer holds other African citizenship and can provide proof that its predecessor has been deported through a slave trade from anywhere in Sub -Saharan Africa. Benic authorities accept DNA tests, proven testimonies and family records.
Last week, the government launched my Afro Origins, a digital platform that processes applications.
While Benin is Not the first country In order to grant citizenship to the descendants of enslaved people, his law of citizenship is to contribute importance, partly because of the role he played in the business trade.
European traders deported an estimated 1.5 million enslaved people from Bight of Benin-region, which includes today’s Benin, Togo and parts of Nigeria-Do America.
The Benini kings were actively involved in the capture and sale of enslaved people by Portuguese, French and British traders. The former kingdoms and communities that have attacked still exist as tribal networks.
Benin has long been working on mixing with her legacy. She openly acknowledged her role in slave trade, an attitude that many other African nations did not participate.
In the 90s she hosted an international conference to explore how and where people were sold. In 1999, the then President Mathieu Kéréka apologized to the African Americans during the visit of the Church in Baltimor.
Along with this national clearing, “commemorative tourism” around the reference of slave trade, has become a key approach to Benin’s government to attract Afro-adpernates.
Commemorative sites are mostly in OuidahOne of the most active African ports for slave trading in the 18th and 19th centuries. These include the slave route, which was on the way denoting the enslaved last journey of people to ships and doors without a return, a ghostly door that opens into the Atlantic Ocean, where they left Africa and their families.
Sindé Chekete, head of the Benin State Travel Agency, said that this site gives Afro-coins the opportunity to learn and honor the fight and resistance of their ancestors.
“It can inspire some people to say,” I want to go back to Africa and choose Benin to understand this history “,” Chekete said.
After the ceremony of citizenship, Ciara traveled around the historic city, where she went slavely to the door without a return.
“Between emotions, reflection and heritage, I have experienced a deep return to what really matters,” she said.
(Tagstotranslate) Benin citizenship
