AFRICA IS A COUNTRY

New Benin law offers citizenship to descendants of African slaves

Issued on: 30/07/2025 - 

American R&B singer Ciara has become a Beninese citizen thanks to a new law granting citizenship to descendants of African slaves. The Grammy-winning star appeared alongside President Patrice Talon during a ceremony held this weekend in Cotonou, the capital. Ciara is among the first descendants to receive the coveted “green passport” as part of a programme recognising Benin’s historic role in the transatlantic slave trade and aiming to boost tourism. Leonard Wantchekon, professor of Politics and International affairs at Princeton University was FRANCE 24's guest to talk about it.

Kenya: Justice sought for victims of protest crackdowns


Issued on: 30/07/2025 - 

In Kenya, trials against police officers accused of killing protesters are multiplying. A court in Nairobi is hearing the case of Rex Masai, a young man who was shot dead while protesting last year’s draft finance bill. He was the first in a long list — over the past year, more than 100 protesters have been killed and many others injured.

Tunisia’s “barbechas”: the invisible workforce behind recycling


Issued on: 30/07/2025 - 12:46

They’re called barbechas — men and women who walk for hours each day with bags on their backs, searching for recyclable waste. Their labour is essential to Tunisia’s recycling system, yet most are underpaid and overlooked, especially the women who make up a large part of this informal sector. Growing in number, these workers are a stark reflection of the country’s economic and migration crises.