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News18
an hour ago
- News18
New law in Benin grants citizenship to slave descendants, Ciara among first
Dakar(Senegal), Jul 28 (AP) US singer Ciara is one of the first public figures to become a citizen of Benin under a recent law by the small West African country granting citizenship to descendants of slaves. The Grammy-winning performer's acquisition of citizenship at a ceremony Saturday in the city of Cotonou is part of a broader initiative by Benin to attract the Black diaspora, acknowledge the country's role in the transatlantic slave trade, and promote tourism focused on slavery-related sites of remembrance. 'By legally recognizing these children of Africa, Benin is healing a historical wound. It is an act of justice, but also one of belonging and hope," Justice Minister Yvon Détchénou said at the ceremony. Here's what to know about Benin's efforts to welcome slave descendants: Benin's afro-descendant citizenship law In September, Benin passed a law granting citizenship to those who can trace their lineage to the slave trade. It is open to anyone above 18 who doesn't already hold other African citizenship and can provide proof that an ancestor was deported via the slave trade from anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Beninese authorities accept DNA tests, authenticated testimonies and family records. Last week, the government launched My Afro Origins, the digital platform that processes applications. While Benin is not the first country to grant citizenship to descendants of slaves, its citizenship law carries added significance, in part because of the role it played in the transatlantic slave trade. A national reckoning with its role in the slave trade. European merchants deported an estimated 1.5 million enslaved people from the Bight of Benin — a region that includes present-day Benin, Togo and parts of Nigeria — to the Americas. Beninese kings actively participated in capturing and selling slaves to Portuguese, French, and British merchants. The former kingdoms and the communities they raided still exist today as tribal networks. Benin has long been working to reconcile with its legacy of complicity. It has openly acknowledged its role in the slave trade, a stance not shared by many other African nations that participated. In the 1990s, it hosted an international conference to examine how and where slaves were sold. In 1999, then-President Mathieu Kérékou apologized to African Americans during a visit to a church in Baltimore. 'Memorial tourism" Alongside this national reckoning, 'memorial tourism" around the legacy of the slave trade has become a key approach of Benin's government to attract afro-descendants. Memorial sites are mostly in Ouidah, one of Africa's most active slave-trading ports in the 18th and 19th centuries. They include the Slave Route, which was the path marking slaves' final journey to ships, and the Door of No Return, a haunting doorway that opens to the Atlantic Ocean where they left Africa, and their families, for the last time. Sindé Chekete, the head of Benin's state-run tourism agency, said these sites give afro-descendants the opportunity to learn about and honor the struggles and resilience of their ancestors. 'It may inspire some people to say I want to return to Africa and choose Benin to understand this history'," Chekete said. Following her citizenship ceremony, Ciara toured the historic city, where she walked the Slave Route to the Door of No Return. 'Between emotion, reflection, and heritage, I experienced a profound return to what truly matters," she said. (AP) RD RD view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 01:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
A new law in Benin grants citizenship to slave descendants. Ciara is among the first
DAKAR, Senegal — U.S. singer Ciara is one of the first public figures to become a citizen of Benin under a recent law by the small West African country granting citizenship to descendants of slaves. A new law in Benin grants citizenship to slave descendants. Ciara is among the first The Grammy-winning performer's acquisition of citizenship at a ceremony Saturday in the city of Cotonou is part of a broader initiative by Benin to attract the Black diaspora, acknowledge the country's role in the transatlantic slave trade, and promote tourism focused on slavery-related sites of remembrance. 'By legally recognizing these children of Africa, Benin is healing a historical wound. It is an act of justice, but also one of belonging and hope,' Justice Minister Yvon Détchénou said at the ceremony. Here's what to know about Benin's efforts to welcome slave descendants: In September, Benin passed a law granting citizenship to those who can trace their lineage to the slave trade. It is open to anyone above 18 who doesn't already hold other African citizenship and can provide proof that an ancestor was deported via the slave trade from anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Beninese authorities accept DNA tests, authenticated testimonies and family records. Last week, the government launched My Afro Origins, the digital platform that processes applications. While Benin is not the first country to grant citizenship to descendants of slaves, its citizenship law carries added significance, in part because of the role it played in the transatlantic slave trade. European merchants deported an estimated 1.5 million enslaved people from the Bight of Benin — a region that includes present-day Benin, Togo and parts of Nigeria — to the Americas. Beninese kings actively participated in capturing and selling slaves to Portuguese, French, and British merchants. The former kingdoms and the communities they raided still exist today as tribal networks. Benin has long been working to reconcile with its legacy of complicity. It has openly acknowledged its role in the slave trade, a stance not shared by many other African nations that participated. In the 1990s, it hosted an international conference to examine how and where slaves were sold. In 1999, then-President Mathieu Kérékou apologized to African Americans during a visit to a church in Baltimore. Alongside this national reckoning, 'memorial tourism' around the legacy of the slave trade has become a key approach of Benin's government to attract afro-descendants. Memorial sites are mostly in Ouidah, one of Africa's most active slave-trading ports in the 18th and 19th centuries. They include the Slave Route, which was the path marking slaves' final journey to ships, and the Door of No Return, a haunting doorway that opens to the Atlantic Ocean where they left Africa, and their families, for the last time. Sindé Chekete, the head of Benin's state-run tourism agency, said these sites give afro-descendants the opportunity to learn about and honor the struggles and resilience of their ancestors. 'It may inspire some people to say 'I want to return to Africa and choose Benin to understand this history'," Chekete said. Following her citizenship ceremony, Ciara toured the historic city, where she walked the Slave Route to the Door of No Return. 'Between emotion, reflection, and heritage, I experienced a profound return to what truly matters,' she said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Economic Times
5 hours ago
- Economic Times
Is Julian Brown dead or in hiding? Mystery grows after cryptic social media posts and sudden disappearance
Is Julian Brown dead or in hiding? Mystery deepens as Black inventor goes missing after cryptic social media posts. Julian Brown, a young inventor from metro Atlanta known for creating a plastic-to-fuel machine called Plastoline, has not been seen since July 9. His last social media posts suggested he was under threat. Online users now question whether he is dead, in hiding, or being silenced for his invention. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is Julian Brown 'Certainly Under Attack'? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Julian Brown Injury in Explosion During Testing Raised Past Concerns Julian Brown's Invention and Public Outreach Julian Brown Business and Funding Efforts Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Growing Online Speculation about Julian Brown Is He in Hiding or Dead? FAQs Brown, a 20-something inventor from metro Atlanta, has been missing since July 9, 2025. Known for developing Plastoline , a machine that turns plastic waste into usable fuels, Brown raised concerns before vanishing. His final video and posts sparked online worry, with users questioning whether he is dead, in hiding, or under Brown posted his last video to Instagram on July 9. In the clip, he told his followers he was 'certainly under attack.' He also said he could not share full details but asked viewers to keep their 'eyes open.' He ended the video by saying he was 'still working and building,' and 'nothing' would stop this post, Brown had shared strange messages on social media. He warned about being followed, stalked, and even claimed that black helicopters were circling his house at night. He wrote, 'They have been following me. I know I don't have long to live.'His fans have not heard from him since then. Many have posted on TikTok and Facebook, asking for updates. One message read, 'Julian Brown has reportedly been missing for more than two weeks after claiming to convert plastic waste into gasoline fuel. Share to get the word out.'In 2024, Brown was injured during an explosion while testing his microwave pyrolysis machine. He suffered second-degree burns but continued working. He later updated his followers about safety improvements made to the Plastoline reactor after the the injury, Brown remained focused. His social media showed his ongoing experiments and progress toward making a full-scale Brown invented Plastoline, a device that uses microwave pyrolysis powered by solar energy. The machine converts plastic waste into fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. He began this project during high school and spent five years developing the a March 2025 interview with Bold Journey, Brown spoke about his goals. He said he wanted to fill the gap in real recycling systems and hoped to create something Brown founded a company called Jab's Pyrolysis & Energy Recovery. His listed address was PO Box #237, 8491 Hospital Dr, Douglasville, GA 30134. He invited people to send plastic to this address for testing in his machine. His business email is business@ and his CashApp is $ launched a GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise $1 million to build a larger prototype. As of July 28, 2025, the fundraiser has collected $18, users believe Brown may be hiding. Others think he might have been targeted for challenging the interests of big oil and electric companies. No official police report has confirmed foul play, and no mainstream media outlet has covered the Facebook post stated, 'Hopefully they find him safe and well and he's hiding out somewhere, but he was working on good things.' Some have compared his case to stories where Black scientists were allegedly is no official confirmation of Julian Brown's death. His disappearance has not been publicly acknowledged by authorities. The only evidence of his condition is his last Instagram video and messages warning of threats. He may be in hiding, or he may be avoiding the public eye to focus on his work. However, his silence has led many followers to fear the official confirmation exists. Julian Brown has not been declared dead, and his disappearance remains unconfirmed by claimed he was being followed and stalked. He mentioned black helicopters and said he did not have long to live.
