In Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle the exhibition Back to Benin is currently on show, marking the restitution of one of the Benin Bronzes from their collection. The exhibition catalogue is among the items highlighted in this month’s Library Highlight, on writings and art related to the debate on African cultural heritage restitution.

The African Studies Centre Leiden and the podcast De Africast are joining forces! De Africast is a podcast about the history, geopolitics and business climate in Africa. A range of topics are explored in conversations with experts.

Mirjam de Bruijn commented in various media outlets on the attacks by jihadists and Tuareg separatists on the military regime in Mali, and how this has an effect on the stability in the wider Sahel. Read the articles and listen to the podcast interview.

Het ASCL biedt momenteel twee promotieplekken aan: één over multipolariteit en militaire samenwerking in Afrika, en één over klimaat en krijgsmacht in Afrika. De projecten zijn onderdeel van de Kennishub Afrika van de Nederlandse Defensie Academie (NLDA) en worden door het ASCL met de NLDA beheerd en begeleid. 

Organised by the final cohort of Research Master students of African Studies, the conference 'Mining Matters: Resource and Mineral Extraction Across Africa' was a huge success. It allowed both seasoned scholars and students to share their knowledge about resource extraction in Africa.

On 19 April, zoologist, writer, painter and broadcaster Desmond Morris passed away. Morris invited Professor Emeritus Wouter van Beek to his home in Ireland in April 2024, to discuss African bronzes, Dogon art, Dogon people, brass casting, and Africa more broadly. Van Beek recollects.