France moves to streamline return of looted African art under new restitution bill

In a landmark move,the French government has unveiled a new bill aimed at simplifying the return of cultural artifacts taken during the colonial period.

Introduced by Culture Minister Rachida Dati,the legislation would allow items looted between 1815 and 1972 to be returned by government decree,bypassing the need for time-consuming parliamentary votes. The bill follows years of stalled efforts,despite President Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 pledge in Burkina Faso to return African heritage held in French museums. Since then,only 27 items have been returned,including 26 treasures to Benin and a sacred drum to Côte d’Ivoire. The proposed law applies to artifacts acquired through theft,coercion,or forced transfer,and could benefit at least 10 nations that have formally requested returns,including Algeria,Madagascar,and Côte d’Ivoire.

A scientific commission — composed of international experts — will assess each object’s provenance to ensure due diligence. Although the bill avoids explicit reference to “colonialism,” it clearly addresses France’s imperial past. Experts and lawmakers argue that the reform reflects changing public attitudes and a growing demand for transparency and ethical accountability. Set for debate in Parliament this September,the legislation would make France one of the first nations,alongside Belgium,to establish a comprehensive legal framework for repatriating looted heritage,marking a significant step in cultural reparation and reappropriation.