Africa-Press – Ethiopia. The centuries-old African artifacts housed in European institutions and that are worth billions of dollars should be returned to the rightful owners, Global Black Centre (GBC) Vice President and the prominent historian Robin Walker said.
These invaluable pieces of African history, primarily acquired during colonial times, have seen exponential appreciation over the years, representing both cultural significance and immense financial worth, he stated.
Artifacts are assets, Walker noted, adding that assets increase in value over time. “If you possess artifacts created 500 years ago, their worth has been appreciating for centuries. That’s why they’re now valued in the millions. If you have multiple artifacts from a specific civilization, you could be sitting on billions.”
This economic reality explains the significant resistance faced by repatriation efforts, he explained.
“European institutions maintain substantial wealth in the form of African heritage, highlighting their vested interest in retaining these treasures. The escalating financial worth of these historical artifacts, many dating back 500 years, stresses the economic motivations behind European reluctance to return them.”
According to the vice president, the Global Black Centre is actively engaged in supporting existing reparations movements and developing strategies for documenting and retrieving African artifacts.
“Our role is to collaborate with ongoing reparations initiatives and bolster those efforts. We aim to support existing movements while advocating for the return of original artifacts.”
In the meantime, Walker revealed that the Centre is exploring the creation of replicas to help make African heritage more accessible to the public.
African leaders are convening in Addis Ababa, where heritage reparation and restitution are expected to take center stage.
The vice president believes the summit will serve as a vital platform to tackle these issues directly. The discussions are not solely about reclaiming historical objects, they are about rectifying historical injustices and restoring cultural wealth to its rightful owners.
International Financial Crime Compliance Consultant and African Studies scholar, Leanard Phillip, stresses the need for a growing unified voice from Africa and its diaspora.
“It’s time for us to retrieve these items and show the world that we are their rightful owners. We can manage them as well as anyone else on the planet.”
He expressed disappointment over the prolonged time-line of repatriation efforts and underscored the importance of a cohesive African approach.
“Uniting as Africans under a shared voice is essential for retrieving these items. Our collective identity and advocacy will strengthen our arguments for why these artifacts belong in Africa.”
This week’s AU Summit is poised to be a pivotal moment for advancing conversations and actions on reparations and restitution.
With the amplified economic value of African heritage serving as a stark reminder of the wealth extracted during colonialism, the summit aims to amplify the unified African voice demanding justice, reconciliation, and the return of Africa’s invaluable cultural patrimony from European hands.
Phillip called on African leaders to unite in the fight for the return of cultural artifacts, emphasizing the importance of a collective voice, urging leaders to recognize that reclaiming these treasures is not just about cultural identity but also about restoring dignity and correcting historical wrongs.
“We must present a united stance to showcase our commitment to managing and preserving our heritage. Together, we can advocate effectively for the return of these invaluable pieces of our history,”he said.
He believes that solidarity among African nations is crucial to amplify their message and achieve tangible results in the ongoing struggle for repatriation.
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