Nadia Nsayi:
“Despite criticism of the Belgian restitution bill by Congolese experts and the Congolese government’s request to allow room for political negotiations on the matter, the Belgian parliament unilaterally proceeded to a vote in 2022.
Nsayi: “Just like colonial plunder at the time, restitution is about power relations. Belgium is in a very comfortable position because Congo currently has a very weak cultural policy, as a result of weak political leadership that does not give priority to restitution policy.
So the Belgians can easily say, as they did in the past: yes, pff, the Congolese: they’re not ready yet.
Many people of Congolese origin respond by saying: you didn’t need a law to steal it back then! And now you’re going to set up a law to give it back? Imagine: you come to my house in the midst of all the anarchy and steal something from me.
And then, in order to give it back, you also impose certain conditions. That is the inequality we still face today.”
Wayne Modest:
“We appreciate such strong statements from activists who stimulate the discussion. But we also have to be realistic about the legal situation, which is that the state owns the collection and has a say in when objects are returned.
As a museum, we are part of the ongoing discussion about this, which is aimed at creating a more just and equal world. To achieve this, legal frameworks need to be changed. That is what is happening now in the Netherlands, but also throughout Europe.
We are here to work with our partners in the countries of origin to make the best possible requests for restitution.
I never imagined that, since the committee was established, almost 1,000 objects would be returned in such a short period of time. So even with the restrictions of the legal infrastructure, we can find ways to bring about change.”
[ Above a link to the 1ste part of this interview ]
