AFTER 52 years of no meaningful progress in negotiations, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has finally ordered the United Kingdom (UK), to return the Broken Hill Man skull to Zambia.
In a landmark decision, UNESCO ruled in favor of Zambia’s claim to the Broken Hill Man skull. The artifact, discovered in Kabwe, Zambia’s Central Province in 1921, has been held at the Natural History Museum in London since the colonial era.
Zambia had been negotiating for the return of the skull since 1972.
The case gained international attention in 2018 when Zambia submitted it to UNESCO’s intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property (ICPRCP).
Following discussions at the 24th session of the ICPRCP, UNESCO instructed Zambia and the UK to develop a roadmap for the skull’s return. This roadmap will be presented at the next committee session.
The Zambian Embassy in Paris hailed the resolution as a “crucial development” after years of stalled negotiations.
According to a statement released by Zambia Embassy in France, Paris, First Secretary for Press, Naomi Mweemba, the resolution highlights the need for Zambia and UK to come up with a roadmap on the return of the skull which should be submitted to the 25th session of the committee.
“When the case came up for discussion before the chairperson of the session His Excellency ambassador Liborio Stellino, Permanent Delegate of Italy to UNESCO, committee members overwhelmingly supported the amendment,” she said.
Mweemba said that this amendment was put forth by ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe, Special Envoy to Zambia in his capacity as chief negotiator, accompanied by director general of National Museums Board George Mudenda.
The committee supported the legitimate grounds advanced by Zambia, highlighting the spiritual importance and connection of the skull to the identity and history of Zambia.
But despite the efforts, Mweemba said director general Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from the UK, Polly Payne stated that the UK does not agree to the return of the skull.
As such Payne said suggesting a roadmap would be in bad faith, especially that the counterproposal from the UK did not include the return of the skull hence the two parties reaching a deadlock.
“However, in his submission, ambassador Kapambwe underscored the ancestral significance of the Broken Hill Man Skull to Zambia’s cultural heritage.
He underlined the connection of the skull to the Zambians, calling for its return to reconnect with the people and rest its spirit in accordance with the customs,” Mweemba stated.
Also present was Kabwe Central Member of Parliament Chrizoster Phiri who reiterated the spiritual connection of the ancestor to the Zambians, adding that the restitution case is also of concern to Members of Parliament in Zambia who are desirous to know the outcome of the negotiations.
Meanwhile, Zambia National Commission for UNESCO through its senior programme officer for Culture Dr Samson Kantini welcomed the resolution as a progressive milestone towards a fruitful conclusion of the negotiations.
Dr Katini looked forward to the release of the ancestor from the Natural Museum English Prison where he remains incarcerated for over 100 years now.
He applauded the iconic leadership of the chief negotiator and the candid support of the permanent delegation of Zambia to UNESCO led by ambassador Judith Mulenga.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba June 10, 2024
 has finally ordered the United Kingdom (UK), to return the Broken Hill Man skull to Zambia.){kind=link}