Benin grants citizenship to slave descendants and confronts its dark history

In September 2023, the West African country of Benin passed a revolutionary law allowing individuals descended from those enslaved in the transatlantic slave trade to acquire citizenship. This significant development primarily targets those over the age of 18 who do not possess any other African citizenship. Applicants are required to provide proof of descent from an ancestor who was forcibly taken as a slave from anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa, with Beninese authorities accepting a range of evidence, including DNA tests and family records. This law reflects an ongoing effort by Benin to confront and acknowledge its historical involvement in the slave trade, a dark chapter where for over 200 years, local kings captured and sold their people to European traders, including the Portuguese, French, and British. Consequently, this initiative has attracted substantial interest from Americans and others looking to connect with their ancestral roots. Benin’s citizen law was also timed with a broader embrace of “memorial tourism,” where the government seeks to draw visitors through landmarks and historic sites related to the slave trade, thereby fostering a connection to those affected on both sides of the Atlantic. The recognition of this shared history is essential for those pursuing citizenship, as seen in the case of Nadege Anelka, a travel agent from Martinique, who sees her quest for citizenship as a symbolic gesture for her ancestors rather than a shift in her identity as an American. The cultural and historical relevance of this law also ties into the celebrations of Vodun, an official religion in Benin, which demonstrates the connection between African and diasporic cultures. Anelka, along with many others, hopes to fulfill the requirements of the law by spending time in Benin, thereby physically reconnecting with her roots and acknowledging her family’s past. Overall, this citizenship initiative not only offers legal recognition but also facilitates a national reckoning with Benin's role in the history of slavery, prompting discussions about identity, heritage, and the ongoing legacy of the past.