study of europe's colonial era acquisitions the proposals put forward by french art historian benedict savoie and the senegalese scholar fell in sour could have far reaching consequences for. their report was commissioned by french president emmanuel mccomb he's pledged to begin repatriating stolen art works to africa within 5 years. we really hope that mccalls announcement on our report won't just be empty words but will have real consequences. it doesn't only apply to france but to many european countries. they are also invited to look at their colonial past and above all about their present relations with africa which are still shaped by colonialism in my eyes this is absolutely fundamental that. france is leading the way but what about the other former colonial powers. belgium too has a problematic legacy. the famous royal museum for central africa just outside brussels recently reopened after undergoing an extensive make over. it was long overdue. the museum features a magnificent collection of artifacts it was long criticized for being an exhibition of colonial propaganda now it refer.