Today in African History

Imagine a towering monument standing tall for over a millennium, bearing witness to the history and culture of a proud nation. Built in the 4th century by the legendary King Ezana, this 160-tonne monolith, known as the Obelisk of Axum, had survived the test of time until the dark clouds of colonialism cast their shadow upon Ethiopia.

The Italian occupation of Ethiopia brought with it a period of immense hardship and suffering, as the occupiers plundered the country's long-hidden treasures and sacred artefacts. Despite its colossal size, the Obelisk of Axum was not spared. In the 1930s, a group of Italian soldiers stumbled upon the monolith, semi-submerged in a pit, and took it away from its rightful owners.

The Obelisk was partially dismantled and transported to Rome, where it remained for almost a century, a trophy of war displayed prominently in front of the Italian Ministry for African Relations. Despite multiple calls for its return, the lack of funding and technical challenges stood in the way, and the monument remained imprisoned in Rome.

But the tides were about to turn. In 2005, after 68 years of captivity, the Obelisk of Axum was finally repatriated to Ethiopia amidst widespread celebration and praise. This momentous event set the stage for the return of other stolen artefacts, many of which were looted by British troops.