Mbanza Kongo: The French ambassador to Angola, Sophie Aubert, assured the Angolan government that France will assist in recovering museum pieces removed from the Regional Museum of the Kingdom of Kongo. During a 24-hour visit to Mbanza Kongo, Aubert discussed with local museum management the creation of a list of missing artifacts, which will help in locating and returning them.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the ambassador's visit was prompted by President Joo Louren§o's request during his January visit to France. Louren§o emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to preserve and enhance the historic center of Mbanza Kongo, recognized as a World Heritage Site since July 2017.
Aubert highlighted France's willingness to leverage its archaeological expertise, reflecting a long-standing cooperation, to aid in restoring the museum's collection. Discussions with museum management also included potential digitization of the museum's historical and cultural assets to improve conservation and accessibility.
The Regional Museum of the Kingdom of Kongo currently holds only 96 collections, a small portion of the more than 4,000 pieces it possessed prior to the Angolan Civil War.
