Ceremony as Benin welcomes looted art from France

By Will Ross

A ceremony has taken place in Benin to mark the return from France of 26 royal treasures that had been looted by colonial troops in the 19th Century. 

This follows an agreement between the two countries that was finalised on Tuesday in Paris - in an event attended by presidents Patrice Talon and Emmanuel Macron. 

Among the artworks which had been on display in a Parisian museum are statues from the ancient kingdom of Abomey as well as the throne of King Behanzin. 

It was looted when French soldiers ransacked a palace in 1892. 

In the capital Cotonou, hundreds of people lined the streets. One woman said she’d travelled 500 km (310 miles) with her young children to witness the return of the loot. 

The artefacts will in time be on display in a new museum. 

European governments are coming under increased pressure to give back what was seized during the colonial era. 

This includes thousands of metal sculptures and ivory carvings that were stolen from what is now southern Nigeria.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Reuters