On October 5, 2026, Benin's President Romuald Wadagni, on an official visit to France, requested that his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, return 35 cultural assets to Benin. These assets, pillaged during the colonial period, include emblematic objects such as the throne of King Toffa, a historical throne from Porto-Novo, and the statue of the god Gou, a renowned divinity of iron and war from the Kingdom of Dahomey.
The request for the return of these cultural assets was made possible by a new French law, enacted on May 9, 2026, which simplifies the process for countries to reclaim cultural assets taken during the colonial era. The law allows for the restitution of these assets by decree, eliminating the need for a special law for each object. A scientific committee, composed of French and Beninese experts, has been established to examine the requests and validate each dossier for restitution.
The 35 cultural assets requested by Benin are primarily from the Kingdoms of Dahomey and Porto-Novo and are currently housed in French museums, including the Louvre and the Quai Branly in Paris. These assets include the Fatê de Guèdègbé, an important spiritual object linked to the last pontiff of the Fâ tradition, and the doors of the palace of Kétou, sculpted elements from the city.
This is not the first time Benin has requested the return of cultural assets from France. In 2021, under the leadership of President Patrice Talon, Benin successfully obtained the return of 26 royal treasures pillaged in 1892 by French colonial troops during the capture of Abomey and conserved at the Quai Branly museum.
The return of these cultural assets is seen as a significant step towards reconciliation and the restoration of Benin's cultural heritage. The assets are considered essential to the country's history and identity, and their return is expected to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Benin's cultural legacy.
A committee of experts will carefully examine each request to ensure that the assets are returned in accordance with the new French law and the established procedures. The committee's work will be crucial in determining which assets will be returned to Benin and when.
The request for the return of these cultural assets highlights the ongoing efforts of Benin and other African countries to reclaim their cultural heritage from former colonial powers. The return of these assets is expected to strengthen the cultural and historical ties between Benin and France and contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation of Benin's rich cultural heritage.
Key points
- Benin's President Romuald Wadagni requests 35 cultural assets from France
- A new French law simplifies the process for countries to reclaim cultural assets taken during the colonial era
- The return of these cultural assets is seen as a significant step towards reconciliation and the restoration of Benin's cultural heritage
