• Ciara is one of the first public figures to receive citizenship under Benin's new law.
• The initiative aims to attract the Afro-descendant diaspora and acknowledges Benin's historical role in the slave trade.
• The law allows citizenship for those who can trace their lineage back to enslaved ancestors from sub-Saharan Africa.

U.S. singer Ciara is among the inaugural public figures to gain citizenship in Benin, following a recent law that grants nationality to the descendants of enslaved people. The ceremony took place in the city of Cotonou, marking a pivotal moment in Benin's efforts to reconnect with the African diaspora and acknowledge the country's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, thereby fostering tourism centered around slavery-related historical sites, according to Los Angeles Times and Africanews.

Justice Minister Yvon Détchénou stated during the ceremony that "by legally recognizing these children of Africa, Benin is healing a historical wound," emphasizing the law as an act of justice and belonging. The citizenship law, enacted in September, allows individuals over 18 to apply if they do not hold other African citizenship and can validate their ancestral ties to the slave trade through DNA tests or documented records, according to BBC and Africanews.

This initiative is particularly significant given Benin's historical context; between the 16th and 18th centuries, it was a major hub for the transatlantic slave trade, with millions of people forcibly taken from the region to the Americas. The government has made strides towards addressing this legacy, including appointing ambassadors such as filmmaker Spike Lee to promote its memorial tourism and heritage efforts, as noted by Los Angeles Times and Africanews.

In addition to her citizenship, Ciara participated in a tour of historical sites, including the Slave Route and the Door of No Return, reflecting on her heritage. Expressing her gratitude for the recognition, Ciara remarked, "It may inspire some people to say 'I want to return to Africa and choose Benin to understand this history'," echoing sentiments put forth by Benin's tourism officials about the importance of these sites in honoring ancestral struggles, according to BBC and Africanews.