RT.com
23 Jul 2025, 13:46 GMT+10
Maria Lucas has called for structural change to correct historical injustices
Africa must reclaim everything that was taken by Western colonial powers - not only stolen cultural artifacts, but also its dignity, independence, and economic agency, Mozambican Foreign Minister Maria Manuela Lucas said on Tuesday.
Speaking after talks in Moscow with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, she argued that historical injustices must be addressed through structural reform, not just symbolic acts from Western powers.
Lucas stressed that Africa's return to sovereignty must go beyond the repatriation of museum pieces and focus on transforming how the continent takes part in the global economy. This includes ending dependency on raw materials exports and investing in domestic value-added production, she added.
"Everything that was brought away from Africa must be returned to the continent," Lucas said. "I'm not only speaking about tangible artifacts, [but also] about the policy that would result in our economic independence... We would like to feel as Africans, to work as Africans, to be Africans."
Her remarks follow Mozambique's request in May for the return of around 800 cultural objects held in European museums - including traditional masks, statues, and ritual archives removed by the colonial authorities. The minister of education and culture, Samaria Tovela, said the restitution of these items is crucial to restoring cultural identity.
Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975, after a decade-long liberation struggle led by the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique. Like many post-colonial African nations, it has called for reparations and the return of cultural property removed during the colonial era.
In June, the Netherlands returned 119 artifacts to Nigeria, including human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia, and a historic bell. They were looted from the West African country more than a century ago.
The African Union has declared 2025 the year of reparations.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Kenya Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kenya Star.
More InformationMaria Lucas has called for structural change to correct historical injustices Africa must reclaim everything that was taken by Western...
Maria Lucas has called for structural change to correct historical injustices Africa...
(Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) Justin Verlander will continue to search for his first elusive win with the Giants...
Durham [UK], July 23 (ANI): India captain Harmanpreet Kaur spilled the beans about the plans and blueprint that she followed diligently...
(Photo credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images) The Houston Rockets announced the signing of free agent guard Josh Okogie on Tuesday. The...
(250722) -- NOUAKCHOTT, July 22, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani speaks during an interview...
A chorus of condemnation echoed across the international community on Monday as Britain and more than 20 other countries—including...
A typical, but devastating day of violence and deepening humanitarian catastrophe unfolded across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, as at...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Taoiseach Micheál Martin has firmly rebuffed remarks made by U.S. diplomat Mike Huckabee, who criticized Ireland's...
Russia and Ukraine prepare for talks amid low expectations, conflicting timelines, and ongoing military strikes, with both sides remaining...
New Delhi [India], July 23 (ANI): Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 2 pm, soon after they resumed their proceedings...
WASHINGTON, 23rd July, 2025 (WAM) -- United States President Donald Trump announced a trade framework with Japan on Tuesday, placing...
