American singer and Grammy Award winner Ciara has officially become a citizen of Benin through a program aimed at repatriating descendants of enslaved people. The citizenship ceremony took place in Cotonou, the largest city in the country, according to a report by Associated Press.
The agency notes that Ciara, whose full name is Ciara Princess Harris, is one of the first public figures to receive citizenship under Benin's program. Following the ceremony, which included the Minister of Justice, Ciara visited the historical part of Cotonou, walking the "Slave Route," the path along which enslaved individuals were led to ports for transport across the ocean. She also visited the "Door of No Return," a historical monument on Benin's coast that symbolizes the departure points for enslaved people.
"Along with feelings of emotion, reflection, and understanding of heritage, I experienced a sense of inner return to what truly matters," Ciara stated.
Benin's government enacted the law for the repatriation of descendants of enslaved individuals in September 2024. Under its provisions, anyone over the age of 18, who does not have citizenship from another African country and can provide proof of Beninese ancestry, can apply for citizenship. Proof can include results from DNA tests, certified documents, and testimonies from family archives.
During the colonial period, European slave traders deported about 1.5 million individuals to the United States. Local kings actively participated in selling enslaved people to European traders, and communities that facilitated this trade continue to exist today. Since the 1990s, the Beninese authorities have openly acknowledged their role in the slave trade and have been working to address and mitigate its consequences.
In late May, the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences announced that it is assessing the total amount of reparations that Western countries may owe to Africa as compensation for colonialism and slavery.
