Benin grants citizenship to 28 Afro-descendants in symbolic ceremony

The Ministry of Justice and Legislation of Benin formally awarded citizenship to 28 Afro-descendants in a solemn ceremony held at the Cotonou Judicial Complex on July 30, 2026. This initiative strengthens historical ties with the diaspora and marks a significant milestone in Benin’s policy of historical recognition and symbolic reparations.

Significance of the ceremony

The event was presided over by Yvon Detchenou, Minister of Justice and Legislation, and attended by Corinne Amori Brunet, Minister of Foreign Affairs, alongside Rose-Marie Sossa, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Justice, and other high-ranking officials. It underscores Benin’s commitment to memory, resilience, and future-building through its reparative policies.

The date of the ceremony was deliberately chosen to align with the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, reinforcing the historical context of the decision. Rose-Marie Sossa emphasized the significance of citizenship, stating that it grants civic participation and the ability to pass on nationality to descendants. « This citizenship binds you to Benin, its history, values, laws, and institutions, » she declared.

Voices from the community

The new citizens, hailing from the United States, Haiti, and other countries, shared emotional testimonies of their connection to Benin. God Win Louis, a Haitian Afro-descendant, expressed deep emotion: « My ancestors came from Sakété and Allada. I’ve visited Benin for a decade, but today, I feel even more Beninese. » Fresner Delva, an American recipient, described the moment as a restoration of an identity long denied by history.

This initiative reaffirms Benin’s role as a leader in reconnecting with its diaspora and addressing historical injustices through symbolic and legal measures.