France Considers Returning Looted Artifacts to Africa
Published on 7.7.25
France is considering a new bill to return cultural objects looted during its colonial era, following years of pressure from African communities and previous restitutions such as the return of royal treasures to Benin in 2020. Serge Alain Nhiang'O, founder of the Ivoire Black History Month association, has long advocated for the drum's return, calling it a "loudspeaker" that was taken away from his people. France still holds tens of thousands of artworks and artefacts looted during its colonial period, with 90,000 objects in French public museums. Culture Minister Rachida Dati plans to present a new version of the bill by the end of the month, following a rejection by the State Council last year that deemed cultural cooperation insufficient justification for returning all colonial spoils.