Benin/JISTNA 2026: In Ouidah, Benin honors the memory of the transatlantic slave trade and paves the way for repatriation

No people can build their future without facing their history head-on. This is the very essence of the commemoration of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its Abolition (JISTNA), celebrated on Sunday, August 23, 2026, in the historic city of Ouidah. Political and administrative officials, representatives of the diplomatic and consular corps, members of royal families, cultural figures, delegations from countries with African-descendant populations, academic researchers, and historians gathered there united by a common purpose: to honor the memory of the past, to pass on its legacy, and to reconnect with it.

The official ceremony was presided over by Ms. Corinne AMORI BRUNET, Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the integration of people of African descent, in the presence of the Chief of Staff representing the Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, as well as the Minister of Culture, Arts, and Heritage.

In his remarks, the Mayor of Ouidah, Mr. Christian HOUETCHENOU, emphasized the symbolic significance of this celebration. “This is a historic date, not only for the daughters and sons of Ouidah and for people of African descent, but also for the entire world.” He also commended the government’s commitment to continuing to honor the memory of the millions of Africans deported from our shores.

Under the theme “From the Door of No Return to the Door of Return,” this 2026 edition fully embodies the duty to remember. For Minister Corinne AMORI BRUNET, this theme reflects a desire to transform remembrance into a vision for the future: “Moving from the Gate of No Return to the Gate of Return does not mean erasing a tragedy; it means refusing to let that forced separation have the last word. The memorial march reminded us that the journey home does not begin with a return to the point of departure, but with a clear and shared understanding of our history.” She added that Benin has been working for several decades to rebuild ties with communities of African descent.

The celebration continued with a series of inaugural lectures, panel discussions, cross-disciplinary discussions, and a workshop titled “Fabrics of the Ancestors,” followed by the official presentation of citizenship documents to people of African descent who have become naturalized Beninese citizens.

JISTNA 2026 has thus placed Ouidah at the center of a dynamic where memory, identity, and return intertwine. Facing the ocean—once the forced point of departure for so many lives—Benin affirms a different perspective: that of a land that remembers, welcomes, and renews ties with its scattered children.

Source: gouvbj