American R&B singer Ciara has become a Beninese citizen thanks to a new law granting citizenship to descendants of African slaves. The Grammy-winning star appeared alongside President Patrice Talon during a ceremony held this weekend in Cotonou, the capital. Ciara is among the first descendants to receive the coveted “green passport” as part of a programme recognising Benin’s historic role in the transatlantic slave trade and aiming to boost tourism. Leonard Wantchekon, professor of Politics and International affairs at Princeton University was FRANCE 24’s guest to talk about it.
This story originally appeared on France24
New Benin law offers citizenship to descendants of African slaves
