“I Want My Gambian Passport In My Hands” – Afro-Descendants Revive Citizenship Campaign

By: Dawda Baldeh

Over five hundred and seventy-three years ago, the African continent lost many of its strong men and women who were taken as slaves to work in Europe and America during the transatlantic slave trade.

Centuries later, the descendants of these enslaved Africans have initiated a campaign to return to the continent. Records indicate that several African countries have opened their doors to grant citizenship to these descendants.

In The Gambia, the campaign has been active, with Nyancho Kujabi, originally named Juliet Ryan, founder of BlaXit – a platform aimed at facilitating the repatriation of African descendants – expressing concern over the government’s hesitation to address their citizenship matters.

In a recent interview, she stated, “I want my Gambian passport in my hands. Gambia is my ancestral home.”

Siphiwe Baleka, a dual citizen of the United States and Guinea-Bissau and a prominent advocate for the repatriation of Afro-descendants, told The Fatu Network that The Gambia could do more to grant citizenship to descendants who wish to return. He remarked that Africa must heal and recognise the descendants as citizens of the continent whose ancestors were forcibly enslaved.

Mr. Baleka, who participated in the recently concluded 85th Extraordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul in October, praised the African Union for designating 2025 as the Year of Justice for Africans and their descendants through reparations, which include both reparations and citizenship. However, he noted that the AU has not provided concrete solutions for African descendants, emphasising the need for a comprehensive citizenship programme for Afro-descendants.

“I want to see Gambia take the lead in accepting Afro-descendants because this is the home of Kunta Kinte and Alex Haley,” said Nyancho Kujabi. “I am disappointed that no significant actions have been taken by the Gambian government.”

She mentioned that after meeting with the President in 2022 and with some lawmakers, she had hoped for change. “Gambia holds a special significance for African descendants due to its connection with Kunta Kinteh. In 1967, the late Gambian President Sir Dawda Jawara granted citizenship to some African descendants during an event in Abuja, and Yahya Jammeh did the same. We had hoped that President Barrow’s government would do better, but it has not,” she added.

Speaking further on progress made in various African countries in granting citizenship to Afro-descendants, Mr. Baleka urged The Gambia to follow the example of countries like Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Cameroon, where African descendants are being granted citizenship.

Mr. Baleka emphasised that over a million Afro-descendants have undergone DNA tests to trace their maternal and paternal ancestry to various African countries. He stated that Africa must heal and fully repatriate the descendants of enslaved ancestors.

He further highlighted the necessity for legal redress for African descendants, asserting that reparations are a fundamental right protected by international laws and treaties.

“I am disheartened that we are still constrained by colonial laws that divided us centuries ago,” she stated, calling on the government to open citizenship pathways for the descendants of enslaved Africans.

“We want to see results now. We are Africans, and we belong here,” she explained. “I want to see my passport in my hands. We are not demanding anything unreasonable; we are asking for what is our right. If you go to Europe, you can become a citizen with minimal restrictions, but why is it so difficult for Gambia to grant citizenship to African descendants?”

She criticised the 15-year constitutional requirement for citizenship, arguing that exceptions should be made. “Our ancestors did not willingly give up their citizenship; it was forcibly taken through ethnocide and genocide,” she recounted.

 By: Dawda Baldeh Over five hundred and seventy-three years ago, the African continent lost many of its strong men and women who were taken as slaves to work in Europe and America during the transatlantic slave trade. Centuries later, the descendants of these enslaved Africans have initiated a campaign to return to the continent. Records The Fatu Network