New French bill proposed for immediate return of Baba Merzoug cannon to Algeria
via Algérie3603 min read
French MP Sabrina Sebaihi has introduced a bill demanding the immediate return of the Baba Merzoug cannon, also known as "La Consulaire," to Algeria. This follows the recent unanimous adoption by the French National Assembly of a law to simplify and accelerate the restitution of cultural property plundered during the colonial period between 1815 and 1972. However, this law excludes "military trophies" and items outside its defined chronological or typological scope, thereby preventing the return of the Baba Merzoug cannon, an emblematic war prize from 1830 currently held in Brest. Sebaihi argues that classifying plundered goods as "war property" is a legislative barrier preventing the return of Algerian heritage, stating that "the future is not built on war trophies." She emphasizes that maintaining symbols of conquest in French collections hinders the development of a harmonious bilateral relationship. Algeria is also seeking the return of other historical items, including personal objects of Emir Abdelkader, such as his Quran, saber, pistol, and command tent, as well as crucial administrative and diplomatic documents like the Treaties of Tafna and the Emir's army registers. Additionally, religious and intellectual manuscripts, including those of Sheikh Aheddad, and other regional resistance artifacts like the keys and standards of Laghouat, are being claimed.
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