Benin restores slavery monuments to testify to brutal past

A resolution is imminent in the dispute over more than 1,000 bronzes stolen from the former Kingdom of Benin. Germany wants to return all the objects to Nigeria.

Child trafficking is often described as modern day slavery. despite legal and social measures aimed at combating the practice, it remains rife in a number of west african countries.

Nigerians celebrated the homecoming of Benin bronzes pillaged during the colonial era. It comes as African leaders are pushing for the restitution of the artifacts from Europe.

In Benin, artefacts that were looted by French forces during the 19th century and formally returned to their homeland last year are about to go on display. The objects include sculptures, masks and small pieces of furniture for ceremonial uses. FRANCE 24's Georja Calvin-Smith reports from the capital Cotonou. Also, French lawmakers pave the way for artworks stolen by the Nazis and currently on display in French museums to be returned to their rightful heirs.

After a 130 years away, 26 stolen artefacts from Benin are finally being displayed at home after having been returned by France.The pieces were looted by soldiers from the kingdom of Dahomey in 1892 and are now taking pride of place at the presidential palace.

After years of discussion and agitation, Germany has agreed to return looted African colonial artefacts, including over 1,000 Benin Bronzes that will be repatriated to Nigeria.

Josiane Hodonou's small plantain flour business has almost doubled its production since the start of the war in Ukraine. With wheat flour becoming hard to find and expensive, some people see the cooking banana as a viable alternative.

Northern Benin is at the center of a security crisis which has moved south from the Sahel. Poverty and climate change have provided fertile ground for criminals and extremists.

France aims to "respond positively" to requests from Benin and other countries for air support and intelligence to combat Islamist militants, a French official said on Wednesday, as French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the West African state.

Over 500 pieces will be returned under the deal. The artifacts were looted by British soldiers in the 1800s and sold all over Europe.

The new digital platform catalogs objects that were stolen from Benin Kingdom during the colonial era: Over 5,000 items across in 20 countries have been identified.

London's Horniman Museum signed over ownership of 72 artefacts, looted by British soldiers in 1897, to the Nigerian government on Monday.