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Policy Brief

Right of Abode for Descendants of Enslaved Africans

A focused proposal for the East African Community to advance justice, unity, and shared prosperity by granting Right of Abode to descendants of Africans trafficked during the transatlantic slave trade.

Justice Cultural Reconnection Human Capital Investment
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Executive Summary

Why Right of Abode

Right of Abode would acknowledge historic injustice, reconnect families to ancestral homelands, and unlock human and financial capital for East Africa. The policy strengthens cultural ties, accelerates skills transfer, and signals regional leadership in human rights and reconciliation.

  • Addresses historical harms while advancing dignity and inclusion.
  • Invites skilled diaspora to live, invest, and build in EAC states.
  • Stimulates entrepreneurship, tourism, and knowledge transfer.
How CRDEA Helps

Advocacy • Education • Mobilization

  • Policy engagement with EAC institutions and member states.
  • Public education and cultural programming.
  • Petitions, coalition building, and impact tracking.
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Policy Brief

Attaining the Right of Abode

This initiative demonstrates to the East African Community the benefits of granting the Right of Abode to descendants of Africans trafficked during the transatlantic slave trade.

Social justice and reconciliation

Acknowledges historical injustices and advances reconciliation between descendants of enslaved Africans and East African communities.

Strengthening cultural ties

Deepens cultural exchange, shared heritage, and community linkages across the region.

Diaspora engagement and investment

Right of Abode strengthens ancestral connection, increasing engagement, investment, and philanthropy that benefit EAC economies.

Skilled labor and knowledge transfer

Descendants who have excelled in diverse fields bring skills, networks, and expertise to boost human capital and innovation.

Economic growth and development

Entrepreneurship and job creation from new residents can expand local value chains and productivity.

Tourism and cultural exchange

Attracts many diaspora visitors seeking historical reconnection, strengthening cultural industries and heritage tourism.

Diplomacy and international standing

Openness and inclusion improve global image and build stronger relations with diaspora nations.

Regional integration

Broader perspectives and mobility support EAC integration and cross-border collaboration.

Human rights promotion

Signals commitment to universal rights and dignity while addressing historical trauma.

Policy leadership

Positions EAC as a leader in reckoning with history and charting a forward-looking policy model.

Next Steps

Take Action

  • Sign and share the petition to grow public mandate.
  • Join the coalition of civic groups and researchers.
  • Engage policymakers across EAC institutions.
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Contact

CRDEA East Africa

repatriation@crdea.com   Nairobi, Kenya   +254 718 257301

For briefings, partnership, or media queries, email the address above.