AU Calls For Return Of Africa’s Artefacts In Europe

Posted by African Examiner African News, Latest Headlines Saturday, February 19th, 2022

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The African Union through its president, Macky Sall, has called on European countries to return Africa’s artefacts in their possession.

Mr Sall mentioned this in his speech at the ongoing EU-AU summit in Brussels. He said the restitution of African works remains a matter of high priority, because they are part of Africa’s ‘civilizational identity’.

“If we want to build a new Europe-Africa relational ethic, based on respect and recognition of historical facts, we must pursue the work already started through the recommendations of the Savoy-Sarr report,” Mr Sall said.

His position was part of the eight proposals from African leaders as contribution to the new partnership with Europe.

As colonial masters ‘conquered’ Africa, thousands of its cultural artefacts were stolen . The conquerors took Africans as slaves to work on plantations and to build their countries while the artefacts were displayed in museums.

For instance, in 1897, the British launched a punitive expedition against Benin, in response to an attack on a British diplomatic expedition.

Apart from bronze sculptures and plaques, innumerable royal objects were taken as a result of the mission and these are scattered all over the world.

The Bangwa Queen of Cameroon which is now owned by France was either given to or looted by the German colonial agent Gustav Conrau in around 1899 before the territory was colonised, according to the BBC.

Africa over the years have continued to demand that artefacts stolen from her be returned to its original home.

Both Europe and the United Kingdom have responded but not without conditions.

For instance, in 2018, CNN reported that the British Museum has agreed to “loan” the plaques back to Benin Royal Museum in Edo State for an exhibition within three years.

African Examiner reported last year how Cambridge University college handed over the statue of a bronze cockerel looted by British colonial forces.

While restitution has begun, Mr Sall’s call reinforces the stance of the African people on the ruins of colonialism and the clamour for the return of their stolen heritage.