He just needs to do it faster.
“I cannot accept that a large share of several African countries’ cultural heritage be kept in France,” Emmanuel Macron said during an official visit to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in 2017. Speaking at the University of Ouagadougou, he acknowledged that there is “no valid, lasting, and unconditional justification” for artwork taken from Africa during the colonial period to remain in Europe permanently. He further stated that he wanted to create the conditions for the return of African heritage to the continent within five years.
However, six years later, despite repeated demands from multiple African countries for the repatriation of art taken during colonialism, the process has moved at a frustratingly slow pace. France is estimated to hold tens of thousands of pieces of African art, yet only a small fraction has been returned.
To expedite the repatriation, on 27 February, Macron announced a new bill aimed at streamlining the process. The proposed law is intended to “codify the methodology and criteria for proceeding,” ahead of Macron’s 18th visit to Africa since taking office. He expressed hope that this new legislation would facilitate a more efficient return of cultural artifacts.
