In 2020, the French National Assembly approved in the first instance by unanimous vote a law proposal regarding the return of cultural artifacts in two African countries, Benin and Senegal. According to the act, Benin will reclaim 26 artifacts that were looted in 1892, provided that a museum has been built and can be added to the collection. In addition, Senegal will recover the sabre of Haji Omar, an important military and religious figure in the 19th century, which has been stored in the Museum in Paris and is considered an integral part of the museum's exhibits. The French government loaned the combat sabre to the Museum of Black Culture in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, at the end of 2019. The new bill will allow Senegal to completely recover this precious cultural artifacts.
France's decision has sparked reflections by governments and museums worldwide on the colonial past and the social responsibilities of museums. However, visitors who have visited the British Museum are certain to ask a question, If artifacts are returned, then will the British Museum eventually be empty?
Indeed, this is a source of concern among those within the museum industry, and Julien Volper, an expert on French African art history, believes that the French government's move is a major threat to the indivisibility of museum exhibits. He also noted that these 26 artifacts will be returned to Benin thanks to the gifts from a private collector. This act will make the collector think twice before donating artifacts to museums in the future. Due to all these reasons, he proposed the government include the indivisibility of the artifacts kept in the French National Museum in the French Constitution and put a complete end to the issue returning the return of cultural artifacts.
Source: RFI Taiwan Culture Center