The Ethiopian government is still fighting for Britain to return other stolen artifacts including sacred wooden and stone tabots or tablets, which represent the Ark of the Covenant. The treasures were unwrapped before the media at Ethiopia's national museum on Saturday, more than two months after they were formally handed over at a ceremony in London in September.Įthiopia said it was the largest such repatriation of artifacts to the country, with its ambassador to Britain, Teferi Melesse, describing it as of "huge significance."Ĭalls have long been mounting in Africa for Western countries to return their colonial spoils, with many prized national treasures held abroad in museums or sometimes private collections.Įarlier in November, the West African state of Benin welcomed back nearly 30 royal treasures seized during France's rule more than 130 years ago. Most of the items were plundered by the British army after it defeated Emperor Tewodros II in the Battle of Magdala in 1868 in what was then Abyssinia. The collection - recovered from Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands - includes a ceremonial crown, an imperial shield, a set of silver-embossed horn drinking cups, a handwritten prayer book, crosses and a necklace. A statue at Addis Ababa University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on DecemPhoto: AFPEthiopia on Saturday hailed the return of precious artifacts looted by British soldiers more than 150 years ago, after a long campaign for their restitution.
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