Neocolonialism

In the light of the demands for independence the old "metropolis" change their strategy, giving rise to neocolonialism.

They grant then a formal independence, which hides a real dependence in the form of military and especially economic cooperation agreements, which ensure the continued exploitation of the now ex-colonies.

All this is accompanied in many countries by different forms of apartheid and racial segregation, which recede more and more gradually at the same rate with the firm condemnation to the international level and with the advance of mondialization.

Progress on restitutions

On January 29, 2021 the Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands Ingrid van Engelshoven announces that the Government wants to redress an injustice by returning cultural heritage objects stolen during the colonial era to the countries of origin, following the publication by the Council for Culture of the report Colonial Collection and a Recognition of Injustice.

On April 29, 2021 the State Minister for Culture and Media of Germany Monika Grütters announces the willingness in principle to make substantial returns of "Benin Bronzes", with the publication by the end of 2021 of the list of Bronzes held in German museums with specific indications on their provenance and in 2022 the inclusion in a list of Bronzes scattered around the world and the first returns to Nigeria that will be exhibited in the new EMOWAA museum (Edo Museum of West Africa Art).