Benin Grants First Diaspora Citizenships Under New Law Addressing Slave Trade Legacy, with Artist Ciara Among Them

American singer Ciara has officially become a citizen of Benin, one of the first people to do so under a new law that welcomes descendants of those taken during the transatlantic slave trade.

The Grammy winner was granted citizenship at a ceremony held in Cotonou on Saturday, which coincided with the United Nations’ International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent. Ciara’s visit and new status are part of a decisive move by Benin to reconnect with members of the Black diaspora whose ancestors were taken from African shores centuries ago.

Benin’s Justice Minister, Yvon Détchénou, said the law is more than just legal paperwork. It’s about healing, justice, and giving people of African descent a sense of belonging. “By legally recognising these children of Africa, Benin is healing a historical wound,” he said at the event.

The new law, passed in September 2024, allows people over 18 with no other African citizenship to apply for Beninese citizenship if they can prove their ancestors were taken through the slave trade. Proof can come in the form of DNA results, family records, or certified testimonies. To make the process easier, the government also launched a platform called My Afro Origins to help applicants trace and process their lineage.

While other countries have made similar efforts, Benin’s action stands out. The government played a major role in the slave trade, which aided the sale of Africans. They’re healing wounds with this initiative.

After receiving her citizenship at the ceremony, Ciara said,

Thank you so so much for this special honor. I’m going to hold this close to my heart. I feel incredibly proud to be here with you all. I feel incredibly proud to also be a part of this moment. The significance of this moment is so so special and so powerful and I feel inspired.

This moment isn’t just a personal one for Ciara; it marks a hopeful shift in how nations like Benin are owning their past and building bridges to the future.

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