UK repatriates stolen artefacts after Battle of Magdala to Ethiopia

A collection of historical artefacts looted shortly after the Battle of Magdala in 1968, involving Ethiopian and British armies, has been successfully repatriated to Ethiopia.

The returned treasures encompass two silver-plated cup trophies, a horn cup, letters, a shield, and even the hair of Prince Alemayheu Theodros.

The momentous handover ceremony took place as the Ethiopian Ambassador in the UK, Ambassador Teferi Meles, formally presented the invaluable heritage to Mr. Abebaw Ayalew, the Director General of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority.

Ambassador Teferi emphasized that this recovery marks a diplomatic triumph for Ethiopia.

The collaborative efforts of the Ethiopian Embassy in the UK, working in tandem with the Ethiopian Heritage Restitution National Committee and the Scheherazade Foundation, played a pivotal role in facilitating the return of these artefacts.

Ambassador Teferi underscored the significance of international cooperation in restoring cultural treasures to their rightful origins.

Acknowledging the government’s commitment to retrieving looted artefacts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia stated that diplomatic endeavors would persist to reclaim more items stolen from the nation’s cultural heritage.