French lawmakers passed a bill to simplify the return of artworks looted during the colonial era. Experts suggest that artifact restitution is a fundamental moral obligation for restoring African national identities.

French lawmakers on Monday passed a bill to simplify the return of artworks looted during the colonial era to their countries of origin. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney, historian Marie Cécile Zinsou, President of the Zinsou Fondation, a contemporary art museum, explains that the restitution of artifacts looted in former colonies is "a moral obligation" and fundamental to the restoring of national identities in African countries.