On July 30, 2026, the Ministry of Justice and Legislation hosted a solemn ceremony at the Cotonou Judicial Complex to present citizenship certificates to 28 Afro-descendants reclaiming their ancestral heritage. This landmark event reflects Benin’s ongoing efforts to address historical injustices and strengthen bonds with its global diaspora.

The ceremony, led by Justice Minister Yvon Detchenou, was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Corinne Amori Brunet, Justice Ministry technical advisor Rose-Marie Sossa, and other senior officials. It represents a pivotal moment in Benin’s reconciliation policy and diaspora outreach initiatives.

Honoring history and fostering belonging

Rose-Marie Sossa, technical advisor to the Justice Minister, emphasized the significance of the date—July 30—as coinciding with the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. She framed the citizenship grants as an act of memory, resilience, and hope, noting that the new status not only grants civil rights but also allows recipients to pass citizenship to their children. “Receiving Beninese citizenship means committing to the nation’s history, values, laws, and institutions,” she stated.

Voices from the diaspora

The 28 recipients, hailing from the United States, Haiti, and other nations, shared emotional reactions to their newfound status. God Win Louis, a Haitian of Beninese descent, traced his ancestry to Sakété and Allada and described the moment as life-changing. “I’ve visited Benin for a decade, but today, I feel even more connected,” he said. Fresner Delva, an American recipient, called the recognition a long-overdue rectification of historical wrongs and a restoration of dignity for Afro-descendants worldwide.