Benin asks France to return 35 looted artefacts
President Romuald Wadagni raised the request in talks with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris this week. An answer from the French government is expected around the middle of this month.

Benin has again asked for the return of ancient cultural treasures looted from the country and held in French collections. President Romuald Wadagni, who held talks with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, in Paris this week, has asked France to return 35 ancient artefacts.
Reports say a large number of Benin’s treasures were looted by French forces in the 19th century, and that 25 of them were returned in 2021. A reply from the French government is expected around the middle of this month.
The West African country has been putting the same request to other European states, including Germany and Switzerland.
Reports note that most of Africa’s ancient and cultural heritage was taken during the colonial period, and that some countries are returning it in small numbers. Natna News could not independently verify the list of the 35 pieces.

