French Report Recommends Repatriation of African Art
Macron’s Commitment to Repatriation
In December 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron commissioned a report on the repatriation of African artworks currently held in French museums. The report, authored by art historian Bénédicte Savoy and Senegalese writer Felwine Sarr, recommends that France move forward with repatriating African cultural heritage that was taken without consent during its colonial period.
Looted Artifacts and the Colonial Legacy
The report focuses on artifacts that were acquired by French soldiers, administrators, and scientific explorers during France’s colonial rule from the 19th century to the 1960s. African nations have long appealed for the return of these cultural treasures, but French law has prohibited museums from permanently surrendering accessioned objects.
Recommendations for Restitution
Savoy and Sarr’s report proposes a three-pronged plan for repatriation:
- Immediate Return of Symbolic Objects: Within the next year, France should return several highly symbolic artifacts that have been requested by African nations, such as the statues and palace treasures taken from Abomey, Benin, in 1892.
- Collaborative Inventory and Restitution: Between spring 2022 and November 2022, French museums should work with African officials to create inventories of African artifacts in their collections. Joint committees will then review restitution requests and return items deemed significant by the concerned nations and communities.
- Ongoing Restitution Process: African nations that have not yet made restitution claims should do so, as the report recommends that the process not be time-limited.
Legal and Practical Considerations
To implement these recommendations, Macron must pass legislation through France’s parliament. However, the report has been welcomed by advocates of repatriation as a step in the right direction. Marie-Cecile Zinsou, president of the Zinsou Art Foundation in Benin, expressed hope that the report will lead to “recovering our history and being finally able to share it on the continent.”
Impact on European Museums
Changes in repatriation policies in France may put pressure on other European museums that hold looted African cultural artifacts. Some institutions, such as the Quai Branly Museum in Paris, have acquired large portions of their collections from Africa. The report emphasizes that the aim is not to deplete European museums but rather to “rebalance the geography of African heritage in the world.”
Alternative Solutions and Future Steps
The report also suggests that museums consider replacing repatriated items with replicas. This could mitigate concerns about the potential loss of artifacts from museum collections. Ultimately, the report’s recommendations aim to foster a more equitable distribution of African cultural heritage and promote dialogue between France and African nations.