A new generation of young Africans is adding significant pressure on Western museums to return looted art, according to Ernesto Ottone, deputy director-general of UNESCO.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ottone emphasized a growing awareness and a shift in attitudes among young people, who are increasingly critical of the historical context surrounding these art collections.
While some European countries have begun to return looted artifacts to their countries of origin, the process remains complex and often faces significant resistance.
France, for example, has faced challenges in fulfilling its promise to return African heritage, with the process slowed by bureaucratic hurdles.
The case of the Benin Bronzes, a collection of artifacts looted from Nigeria by British forces in 1897, exemplifies the complexities of this issue. The British Museum, which houses a significant portion of these bronzes, has resisted calls for their return, citing legal and logistical concerns.
This growing pressure from African nations and their citizens highlights the ethical and moral dimensions of these historical injustices and demands a more nuanced and just approach to the ownership and display of cultural heritage.