'A testimony that we existed': Benin receives looted art from France

FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron and Benin's President Patrice Talon walk after the signing of an agreement about the return of looted cultural artefacts to the African country, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

COTONOU (Reuters) - Twenty-six works of art seized by French colonial soldiers in 1892 returned to Benin on Wednesday, a landmark in the long fight by African countries to recover looted artefacts.

The works, which include the doors of the Palace of Abomey, royal thrones and warrior dance staffs, were formally welcomed back to Benin at a ceremony presided over by President Patrice Talon.