Makalay Saidiatu

By: Makalay Saidiatu Sonda

Sierra Leone, a small country in Sub-Saharan Africa, is opening her doors to descendants of enslaved Africans in the diaspora. The Trans-Atlantic slave trade was not just a conduit for the inhumane treatment of Africans, but also led to the depletion of the African continent. The continent’s strong, agile, talented were shipped out to work in plantations in Europe and the Americas for four hundred years. Unfortunately, Africa is still suffering the impact of slavery and colonisation.

I had an interview with Joseph Kaifala, an international lawyer and the Chairman of the Monuments and Relics Commission. In the interview he stated that Sierra Leone has granted 200 citizenship status within a four year period to descendants of liberated blacks in the diaspora who traced their lineage to Sierra Leone through DNA. Sierra Leone, a former British colony, was established as the province of freedom. “ Our capital, Freetown was established as a home for liberated Africans from across the world since 1787 when we had the Poor Blacks from England, the Nova Scotians who were essentially black veterans who fought on the British side during the American revolution.. then the Maroons who came from Jamaica through Nova Scotia.. this country was created for the resettlement of liberated Africans. To continue that process even in this century is very important to us” Joseph Kaifala said. Sierra Leone is giving them a home to return to, an ancestral home “through blood and kinship” he added.

Joseph Kaifala mentioned that the country is planning to have “proper legislatives that actually guarantee these rights for returnees.”

Moreover, many descendants of Africans that were forcefully taken out of the continent as slaves are tracing their roots and returning to the continent, their ancestral home. Several African countries are opening their doors to these sons and daughters of the soil. Ghana was the first and Sierra Leone and many others are following the trajectory. It seems like the Back to Africa Movement has been awakened. It was the dream of our Pan-African ancestors to have a day like this. It was the dream of Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah to have African diasporas and Africans in the continent unite and see themselves as one with one struggle. “Africa for Africans”, no matter where in the world you are. This was Nkrumah’s dream.

Descendants of liberated Africans posing with their Sierra Leonean passport. Photo credit: Joseph Kaifala

Having returnees will benefit the continent, benefit our countries because these descendants of liberated Africans are often highly skilled professionals and are from far better economies. We in return, can offer them their rightful home and kinship. “To be able to return to your ancestral home is a form of healing!” – Joseph Kaifala.

Happy New Year!!!