On Instagram, NWE broke the news that the nation of Benin 🇧🇯 was offering citizenship to Afro Descendants whose ancestors were stolen away from Africa centuries ago.
Benin is set to adopt groundbreaking legislation granting nationality to Afro-descendants, aimed at strengthening ties with those whose ancestors were deported from Africa during the transatlantic slave trade. The bill, approved by Patrice Talon’s government on May 8, 2024, establishes specific criteria for defining Afro-descendance, requiring proof of Sub-Saharan ancestry through official documents, authenticated testimonies, or DNA tests.
This initiative follows the elimination of entry visas for African nationals and continues Benin’s efforts to promote a Pan-African identity, aligning with the African Union’s recognition of the Diaspora as the continent’s sixth region. The law, which excludes political rights and access to public service positions, still requires approval from the National Assembly. (NWE on Instagram, discovered via Odunife History, emphasis mine)
The two paragraphs contradicted each other, as granting nationality, albeit in the absence of political rights, is equivalent to permanent residency, which Ghana 🇬🇭 offers to Afro descendants.
Upon further research, the offer appears semi-legit, although there are several caveats for African Diaspora seeking citizenship from the African nation.
The KOACI, RFI, & the General Secretariat of the Government of Benin state that the proposed law offers Beninese citizenship by recognition to individuals who can prove their sub-Saharan African ancestry and whose ancestors were victims of forced removal from the continent during the transatlantic slave trade. […]
The bill states that “proof of Afro-descendants is provided by the applicant by means of any civil status or official documentation, all testimonies established by authentic deed, a DNA test carried out by an approved structure in Benin or by any other technical or scientific means.”
However, it is essential to note that this recognition of nationality does not grant political rights, such as the right to vote or access to civil service positions.
Successful applicants will receive a three-year Benin passport, but to obtain a naturalization certificate, they must “stay in the country a few days” before their passport expires. (Investment Migration Insider)
Benin 🇧🇯 appears to be mimicking what Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 currently offers, with the only difference being that the latter offers full citizenship (including voting rights) but only for Afro-descendants who can prove genetic ties to tribes living within the democratic republic.
While Benin’s limited citizenship proposal is better than nothing, they should consider offering full citizenship if they want to attract investments from Afro-descendants in the Diaspora.