France moots return of stolen artifacts to Africa

France is working on a legal framework to return stolen artifacts to Africa, as a gesture aimed at improving relations with countries on the continent.

Speaking ahead of the Africa Forward Summit, which is scheduled for May 11-12 in Nairobi, Kenya, David Martinon, French ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, said his country is committed to renewing relations with African countries, and is planning to return looted artifacts to several of them.

The summit, jointly organized by France and Kenya, is the first time it is being held in a non-francophone country. A wide range of topics are expected to be discussed during the meeting, including artificial intelligence, health, agriculture and blue economy cooperation, Martinon said.

He added that France supports Africa's involvement in the institutions of global governance, including the United Nations Security Council, and is keen to support Africa's agricultural sector, which has been affected by the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts.

Philani Mthembu, executive director at the think tank Institute for Global Dialogue, said the geopolitical landscape is changing with wars in the Middle East, Ukraine and disruptive US policies that are forcing European countries to look for partners throughout the Global South.

"They (France) are trying to diversify relations beyond French-speaking countries; they do that because it is in their economic interest," Mthembu said.

"They have to diversify as the world is fundamentally changing. We encourage great investment from French companies. What African countries should push for in the relationship with France is to reduce the cost of capital, we should encourage grants in funding for (tackling) climate change."

The Africa Forward Summit will also be attended by India, Brazil and South Korea. France formerly colonized many African countries, including Senegal, Mali, Niger, Chad, the Ivory Coast, Benin, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo.