In a statement published on July 9, 2026, the Minister of Arts and Culture, chairman of the Interministerial Committee responsible for the repatriation of Cameroonian cultural property illicitly exported abroad, recalls that the restitution process is conducted in strict compliance with administrative procedures and international cooperation.
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The Cameroonian government reaffirms its commitment to conduct the repatriation of cultural property and human remains from sensitive historical and memorial contexts according to a rigorous and concerted framework. In a statement dated July 9, 2026, the Minister of Arts and Culture emphasizes that the Interministerial Committee acts in accordance with current regulations and in collaboration with all national and international stakeholders.
The objective, the text specifies, is to ensure scheduled, phased restitutions that respect diplomatic requirements, while contributing to the reconstruction of the collective memory of the communities concerned and strengthening national identity.
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The minister also indicates that several projects, including some ceremonies for the handover of relics planned outside Cameroonian territory, are still undergoing the necessary administrative and technical steps for their completion. Faced with this complexity, he invites partners and community representatives to refrain from unilaterally setting deadlines that could commit the State without prior consultation. Finally, the government calls for continued work in close collaboration with the Interministerial Committee and competent institutions to ensure the smooth progress of the restitution process.
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