🔅 A Cinematic and Cultural Triumph: Dahomey's Big Win at Berlinale
Plus, Africa's Start-Up Surge Amid Challenges, ECOWAS Eases Niger Sanctions & Mauritius Denies Cruise Ship Entry
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"Dahomey" Triumphs at the Berlinale: A Golden Bear for Restitution
At the heart of the Berlinale, known for its cinematic activism, Mati Diop's documentary "Dahomey" has clinched the prestigious Golden Bear. This profound work is being hailed as the dawn of a new era in cultural diplomacy, as it highlights the return of 26 treasures from France to Benin, which were looted over a century ago from the kingdom of Dahomey, now modern-day Benin, by French forces.
This act of restitution was supposed to herald a new chapter in Europe's reckoning with its colonial past. However, as Diop's documentary poignantly reveals, the return of a mere 26 items from an estimated 7,000 African artefacts still held captive in European museums is, as one Beninese student puts it, "an insult."
The Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, which houses over 3,000 objects from Benin alone, symbolizes the vast scale of this cultural plunder. Diop's film captures not only the national pride and renewed self-awareness sparked by the return of these treasures but also the simmering frustration and calls for a more substantive dialogue on restitution. The filmmaker herself has described the gesture as "humiliating," highlighting the discrepancy between the few returned items and the thousands that remain behind.
This moment has ignited a broader conversation about national identity, heritage, and the legacy of colonialism in Benin and across Africa. As Habib Ahandessi, featured in "Dahomey," notes, the restitution has challenged long-held narratives about African history and creativity, revealing a rich cultural heritage that was once dismissed or overlooked.
Yet, the path to justice remains fraught with obstacles, as efforts to restitute further colonial-era objects have stalled in the French parliament and elsewhere.
ECOWAS Plays the Peace Card: Sanctions Lifted on Niger Amid Regional Turmoil
The West African bloc ECOWAS is shaking things up by lifting strict sanctions on Niger. The move is aimed at keeping the band together as Niger, along with coup buddies Burkina Faso and Mali, flirt with the idea of ditching the ECOWAS party for good. ECOWAS plays host to a nearly 50-year-old club of countries that were suddenly facing a guest list crisis as these three junta-led states eyed the exit.
Thus, ECOWAS is reopening borders, thawing bank accounts, and restarting commercial chit-chat with Niger. It's their way of wooing the trio back into the fold. ECOWAS chairman Bola Tinubu is practically waving an olive branch, urging these countries not to view the organization as a villain. It's a plea for unity, a call to remember the good times and the perks of being in the ECOWAS club.
Last year, ECOWAS threw the book at Niger after a coup d'état turned the country's leadership on its head. The sanctions that followed were no joke, leaving Niger in a financial bind and adding to its list of woes as one of the world's poorest countries. Now, ECOWAS is changing its tune, asking for a transition timetable that everyone can live with while still demanding the release of detained President Mohamed Bazoum.
Africa's Startup Scene Gets a Mega Boost with Partech Africa II
In the ever-dynamic arena of African innovation, Partech has just pulled off a major coup, securing over $300 million for its second Africa-focused fund, Partech Africa II. It's a vault that cements Partech Africa as the heavyweight champion of funds dedicated to African startups.
Partech's blockbuster fund comes at a time when the narrative around African startups had started to look a bit gloomy. With global venture capitalists and institutional investors pumping the brakes on their African investments, Partech's timing couldn't be better. The continent saw a sharp decline in venture capital mojo, with investments halving in 2023 compared to the year before. Yet, despite this backdrop of economic headwinds and local hiccups, Partech Africa II stands tall, ready to inject some much-needed capital and confidence into the ecosystem.
Mauritius Waves Off Norwegian Cruise Ship Amid Cholera Fears
Mauritius has put up the "no entry" sign for the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship at Port Louis, fearing a cholera outbreak onboard. With at least 15 passengers in isolation with the suspected illness, Mauritius has opted for caution by preventing the ship from docking.
185,000 people have been affected by cholera across seven southern African nations since January 2023, so the stakes are high. Over 3,000 people have died because of it.
Food for Thought
“The night has ears."
— Maasai Proverb