In a Groundbreaking Report, Experts Advise French President Macron to Begin the ‘Restitution’ of Looted African Art

Title: “In a Groundbreaking Report, Experts Advise French President Macron to Begin the ‘Restitution’ of Looted African Art”
Author: Kate Brown
Media Outlet: Artnet News
Publish Date: November 20, 2018

“A highly anticipated report, commissioned by the French President Emmanuel Macron, recommends the permanent repatriation of African heritage looted during the colonial era. The contents of the 108-page study could have far-reaching implications for not only French institutions but also international museums that are facing increasing calls to return works of art and artifacts that come from countries in Africa and beyond, which were arguably stolen.

According to the French weekly magazine Le Point, which has previewed the report, its authors—French art historian Bénédicte Savoy and Senegalese academic writer Felwine Sarr—support the permanent restitution of African heritage, taking a groundbreaking position on the hotly contested issue. They refer to artifacts acquired through “theft, looting, despoilment, trickery, and forced consent,” in support of their use of the word “restitution.” The full document is set to be released on Friday (November 23) at the presidential Elysée Palace in Paris.”