Beyond Slave Trade: Integration, Citizenship and Digital Partnering of the African Diaspora

Abstract

Citizenship connotes rights and obligations. Traditional Africa citizenship is conceived from the communal perception. In different African cultures, an individual is a unit of the family, and the tribe (society) in a seamless relationship that allows easy participation and contribution (socio cultural and political role playing). The extended family unit is integrated into the community and nation.  Citizenship in the colonial era, particularly in the “indirect rule” structure permitted the traditional practices, while that of “assimilation” promoted a transition to “the French man”. The migrated slaves were also assimilated into the citizenship pattern of the Americas, though as second class citizens (racist practices). In the 21^st century, citizenship conception however involves a trans-national practice that transcends cultures and creates a new international networking with technological overarching advantages. The use of the internet, Facebook, Twitter, Blog…etc. and other technological innovations provides multi-dimensional advantages that facilitate interactions. This paper posits that it is relevant to give citizenship rights to Diaspora citizens (particularly the slave trade Diasporas) to participate in the socio-political and technological development in Africa, while enjoying all the legal attributes of citizenship. These crop of citizens’ (Slave trade diasporas)  thirst for a reintegration with motherland, a bridge of the historical gulf created by the forced migration in the slave trade era for the purpose of rejuvenating their memories of motherland (in Diaspora tourism).The paper interrogates the idea that in the age of digital innovations, it is now pertinent for Africa to give vent to the mutual desire of her ex- slave diaspora citizens to reunite with their homeland, and to further Africa’s desire to tap into the resource of her diaspora for the purpose of achieving the coveted development. International citizenship is gaining acceptance and Africa should not be left behind in this growing opportunistic advantage to provide the relevant succor for her Diaspora citizens and to tap into the necessary advantages of their citizenship participation in the continent’s development processes. African states, through the African Union has acknowledged the growing need to include the African diaspora as the 6^th region of Africa, this involves the African diaspora in the development of the region in a loose opportunity for citizenship membership. It is argued in this paper that African citizenship, particularly that of the slave trade diaspora, can be fast tracked through digital partnering –the adoption of digital networking to facilitate processing, and interaction to enlist (diasporas) their contributions in promoting Africa’s development, while garnering advantages of voting rights, visiting rights, and a full sense of belonging to their original homeland. This connotes membership of African indigenous household of choice through digital partnering and participation. It is further argued by this paper that digital partnering/virtual participation is the relevant key to achieving an embracing culture of belonging, particularly in the 21^st century, as commitment is a fruit of reciprocity and acceptance. Both Africa and its diaspora citizens have a lot to gain from citizenship partnership.