Latest news with #citizenship


The Independent
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Why pop star Ciara is now a citizen of Benin
Grammy-winning artist Ciara has been granted Beninese citizenship, becoming one of the first prominent individuals to benefit from a new law offering nationality to descendants of slaves. This move is part of Benin's wider initiative to attract the Black diaspora, acknowledge its historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, and boost tourism centred on remembrance sites. The new law, passed in September, allows individuals over 18 without other African citizenship to apply by providing proof of slave lineage, with applications processed via the 'My Afro Origins' digital platform. Benin openly acknowledges its significant historical role in the transatlantic slave trade and has undertaken reconciliation efforts including a presidential apology in 1999. Memorial tourism, particularly in Ouidah with sites like the Slave Route and the Door of No Return, is a key approach to attract Afro-descendants, with Ciara touring these locations after her citizenship ceremony.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Benin grants citizenship to descendants of enslaved people. US singer Ciara is among the first
Benin grants citizenship to descendants of enslaved people. US singer Ciara is among the first DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — 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 enslaved people. 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 descendants of enslaved people: 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 enslaved people, 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 enslaved people 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 enslaved people 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 enslaved people's 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. Ciara is best known for chart-topping hits like 'Goodies' and 'Level Up,' her dynamic choreography, and her work in fashion and philanthropy. ____ AP's Africa coverage at: Mark Banchereau, The Associated Press


BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Birth tourism: US go deny visa to foreign nationals wey wan go America to born for citizenship
Di United States Mission for Nigeria don announce say dem go deny di visa application of foreign nationals wey dem suspect say wan travel go America to go born, just so dat dia child go get U.S. citizenship. Di embassy wey give di informate for one statement on dia X account on Monday, 28 July tok say, "we go deny your visa if we believe say di primary purpose of travel na to give birth for di United States to get U.S. citizenship for your pikin." For di statement, di embassy say dem no go permit anyone to travel go America for di purpose of "birth tourism." "Consular officers go deny your visa application if dem get reason to believe say dat na your intention," dem add. Dis advisory dey come afta one Supreme Court ruling for June wey allow US President Donald Trump to go ahead wit im executive order of ending birthright citizenship. Di Supreme Court ruling bin limit di power of federal judges to block presidential orders and allow for di birthright citizenship policy to start in 30 days. Although, some lower courts don file counter lawsuits against di ruling. However, wit dis statement from di US embassy, e be like say Oga Trump administration dey fall-in-line wit di executive order to deny citizenship to children of immigrants wey dey US illegally or children wey dem born for there on temporary visa, as no be only di US embassy for Nigeria issue di statement. For one of im first acts as di 47th president of di United States, Donald Trump bin sign one executive order wey di purpose na ending automatic citizenship rights for nearly everybody born on US territory - known as "birthright citizenship". Na one policy wey for long e promise to change - but to implement am no go dey easy. For nearly 160 years, di 14th Amendment of di US Constitution establish one principle say anybody dem born for di kontri go automatically become US citizen. However, within hours of President Trump order, Democratic-run states and cities, civil rights groups and individuals bin launch various lawsuits against am. Dem argue say di order go against di 14th Amendment to di US Constitution, wey establish say "all pesins born or naturalized in di United States, and subject to di jurisdiction thereof, na citizens of di United States and of di state wia dem reside". However, di Trump administration say di clause "subject to di jurisdiction thereof" mean say di amendment exclude children of pipo wey no dey live for di kontri permanently or lawfully. Three federal judges bin rule against Trump, as dem issue nationwide injunctions to block di orders from taking effect. Most legal scholars agree say President Trump no fit end birthright citizenship wit an executive order. Wetin Supreme Court tok on di birthright citizenship case and wia di mata dey now In a win for President Trump, on 27 June, di Supreme Court rule against nationwide injunctions. Di case bin surround weda Trump attempt to use executive order to end birthright citizenship for non-citizens and undocumented migrants dey allowed. For one 6-3 ruling for June, di Supreme Court conservative justices bin side Trump and say dem no dey address Oga Trump attempt to end birthright citizenship. Rather, dia ruling dey address presidential actions broadly. For di majority opinion wey conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett deliver, di court say: "Universal injunctions likely exceed di equitable authority wey Congress give to federal courts." Sake of di ruling to limit injunctions, Trump birthright citizenship order go fit take effect 30 days afta dem file di court opinion, di court tok. E go apply to di 28 states wey no participate for di lawsuit. Di Supreme Court dey expected to rule on di merits of di birthright citizenship order itself at some date in di future. Justice Sonia Sotomayor bin write say birthright citizenship na di "law of di land" and di order dey "patently unconstitutional". Embassies wey don issue similar statements wey ban birth tourism No be only Nigerians di US govment cut warning against birth tourism for. Uganda, Jamaica, di Caribbeans, among odas follow for di warning. For 1 July, di US embassy for Uganda warn Ugandans wey dey travel go US just to go born so dat dia pikin go be citizen, say e no dey allowed. Di govment say many Ugandan parents dey travel wit tourist visas go America for di purpose of giving birth, and dem dey use govment assistance to pay for dia medical care. "Na American taxpayer dey bear dis cost, and those parents fit no dey eligible to renew dia visas for future. US embassy for Colombo also issue similar statement to Sri Lankan nationals and foreign travellers, wey advise dem against using tourist visas for di purpose of giving birth di United States to secure U.S. citizenship for dia pikin. Wetin be 'birthright citizenship'? Di first sentence of di 14th Amendment to di US Constitution bin establish di principle of birthright citizenship: "All pesins born or naturalized for di United States, and subject to di jurisdiction thereof, na citizens of di United States and of di state wia dem reside." Immigration hardliners argue say di policy na "great magnet for illegal immigration" and say e dey encourage pregnant women to cross di border in order to born and remain for di US, an act wey dem commonly refer to as "birth tourism" or having "anchor baby". Supporters of birthright citizenship point out say dat na di law of di land for ova a century and to cancel am go create a "permanent subclass of pipo wey dem born for US wey dey denied full rights as Americans." Birthright citizenship worldwide Birthright citizenship, or jus soli (right of the soil), no be di norm globally. US na one of about 30 kontris - mostly for di Americas - wey dey grant automatic citizenship to any child dem born within dia borders. In contrast, many countries for Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa dey follow di jus sanguinis (right of blood) principle, wia children inherit dia nationality from dia parents, regardless of dia birthplace. Oda countries get combination of both principles, dem also dey grant citizenship to children of permanent residents.


CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
A new law in Benin grants citizenship to slave descendants. Singer Ciara is among the first
Ciara walks on stage at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) 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. 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. Mark Banchereau, The Associated Press


The Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
A new law in Benin grants citizenship to slave descendants. Ciara is among the first
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. 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.