Paper short abstract:

This paper interrogates the Democratic Republic of Congo’s approach to the restitution of cultural objects that Belgium had acquired during the colonial period.

Paper long abstract:

This paper interrogates the Democratic Republic of Congo’s approach to the restitution of cultural objects that Belgium had acquired during the colonial period. It stems from the assumption that over the past years, the debates on the restitution of cultural property have been dominated by the former colonial power and characterized by the marginalization of narratives from the country of provenance. Belgium has developed its own policy which signals that it would be reluctant to the physical recovery of cultural objects by its former colony. However, this cannot be taken for granted. The DRC may have its own perceptions on the matter. It is therefore important to know its approach. Is there a right to restitution or simply a case of voluntarily cooperation to repair colonial harms and achieve reconciliation between the two countries? If there is a right to restitution, what might be its bases in order to build a case for recovering those objects? These questions will be answered, mainly, based on an international legal perspective; but the study remains interdisciplinary and explores the Congolese approach from different sources of information, including political speeches made by the DRC Head of State, ministerial documents and claims voiced at the continental level through the African Union. The study seeks to make recommendations concerning a strategic choice to make between embracing the Belgian approach that seems to give preference to immaterial restitution and cooperation through the conclusion of bilateral agreements, and building a case to raise for an international dispute settlement.