Benin, a West African nation, is on the verge of passing a groundbreaking law granting citizenship to people of African descent. The legislation, which was introduced on May 8, 2024, aims to strengthen ties with descendants of Africans who were forcibly removed from the continent during the transatlantic slave trade.
The bill offers a path to citizenship by recognition for those who can furnish evidence of their Sub-Saharan African ancestry. Acceptable documentation includes official civil status documents, authenticated oral histories, and DNA tests conducted by accredited institutions in Benin.
This move comes after Benin recently abolished visa requirements for visitors from Africa, underscoring its commitment to fostering a sense of pan-African unity. The proposed law aligns with the African Union’s recognition of the African Diaspora as the sixth region of Africa.
It’s important to note that the proposed legislation does not grant new citizens automatic political rights or access to government positions.
Defining Afro-Descendant
The bill defines an “Afro-descendant” as “any person who, according to their genealogy, has Sub-Saharan African ancestry deported outside the African continent as part of the slave trade.”
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must provide documentation to verify their African descent to be eligible for citizenship under the new law. This documentation can include:
- Official civil status documents, such as birth certificates or ancestral records
- Authenticated oral testimonies that have been properly documented
- DNA tests conducted by accredited institutions in Benin
- What the Law Does Not Grant
While the new law offers a path to citizenship, it does not automatically grant new citizens certain rights, including the right to vote in Benin’s elections and the ability to hold government positions.
Successful applicants will receive a three-year Benin passport. To obtain a full naturalization certificate, they must spend “a few days” in the country before their passport expires.
Next Steps for the Law
The Beninese Parliament is presently reviewing the bill and preparing for a vote. This law would make Benin one of the few African countries to allow citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. Benin would join nations such as Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Liberia, Eritrea, Rwanda, and Zambia in offering citizenship by descent to third-generation dependents and beyond.
The passage of this law is still contingent on approval by the National Assembly.