In a historic ceremony held in Cotonou, US singer and Grammy award-winner Ciara has received citizenship from the government of Benin under a new law aimed at granting nationality to descendants of enslaved Africans. Expressing her gratitude in an Instagram post, Ciara remarked, "honoured," and extended her thanks to the nation for welcoming her. Benin's government launched this citizenship initiative as part of a broader strategy to forge stronger relationships with the African diaspora and promote cultural tourism.
The citizenship law, known as the My Afro Origins Law, was enacted to offer nationality to individuals with ancestors who were forcibly removed from Africa during the transatlantic slave trade. Ciara joins a growing list of notable figures recognized under this law, which reflects a significant cultural movement. The announcement follows the recent appointment of acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, as ambassadors for African-Americans in the US, aimed at further enhancing ties between Benin and its diaspora.
Historically, Benin's coastline was an essential departure point for the transatlantic slave trade, known as the Slave Coast. It is estimated that over a million Africans were exported from this region to the Americas between 1580 and 1727, many from the Kingdom of Whydah, a significant slave trading center. Through initiatives like the My Afro Origins Law, Benin seeks to reconcile with its past while fostering cultural heritage and connections among descendants of those shaped by its history.
