Grammy-winning artist Ciara Princess Wilson, globally known as Ciara, has been officially welcomed as a citizen of Benin, proudly proclaiming, “I am Beninese,” in a historic ceremony on July 26, 2025.
The event, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent, celebrated Ciara’s reconnection with her ancestral roots, traced through DNA testing to the West African nation.
The ceremony, attended by President Patrice Talon and key government officials, marks a significant milestone in Benin’s innovative program to grant citizenship to descendants of the African diaspora.
Ciara’s journey began with a DNA test that revealed strong ties to Benin, prompting her to visit the country with the support of RollingStone Africa and Explore Benin.
Her itinerary included Ouidah’s Slave Route and the Door of No Return, a monument commemorating the millions forcibly taken during the transatlantic slave trade.
“Standing there, I felt the weight of my ancestors’ resilience,” Ciara shared during the ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ ceremonial hall in Cotonou. “It’s a moment of pride, connection, and healing.”
Presided over by President Talon, the event saw Ciara, alongside Afro-descendants Joseph Gabendy and Smeralda David Romuald, receive citizenship certificates under Benin’s Law No. 2024-31, passed on September 2, 2024.
This law allows individuals with proven sub-Saharan African ancestry—via DNA, civil records, or authenticated testimonies—to gain citizenship, requiring a three-year residency to complete naturalization.
The initiative, described by Minister of Justice Yvon Detchenou as a “reparation for the fracture of the slave trade,” positions Benin as a leader in diaspora reconnection, following models in Ghana and Gabon.
Joined by ministers Jean Michele Abimbola (Tourism, Culture, and Arts) and Olushegun Adjadi Bakari (Foreign Affairs), the ceremony highlighted Benin’s commitment to cultural restoration.
Ciara, 39, moved attendees by chanting in a local Beninese language, symbolizing her embrace of her heritage. “This is more than citizenship; it’s a homecoming,” she said, tearfully clutching her certificate.
Her actions resonate across Africa, with South African audiences and others celebrating her as a symbol of pan-African unity.
Ciara joins a growing list of Black American celebrities, including Stevie Wonder (Ghana, 2024) and Ludacris (Gabon, 2020), who have reclaimed African citizenship.
Her new status grants full legal rights and duties, excluding political participation and civil service roles
However, some online critics, questioned whether African nations are leveraging celebrity endorsements for economic or political gain.
Supporters countered that the emotional and cultural significance of such programs outweighs skepticism, fostering Black unity worldwide.
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