The Red List of West African Cultural Objects at Risk aims to highlight the types of artefacts that are in demand on the art and antiquities market, protected by legislation, and vulnerable to being looted, stolen or illegally exported. Individuals or institutions wishing to acquire cultural goods from this part of Africa are strongly encouraged to pay close attention to the provenance and legal documentation of any such objects. In the event of any doubt as to the legality of a transaction, buyers should abstain from acquiring the object.
In addition to its production of the Red Lists and its ongoing cooperation with customs and law enforcement agencies around the world, ICOM continues to operate systems of surveillance for emergency situations through its Disaster Relief Management Committee (DRMC) and to fight illegal trade of cultural goods, particularly through the establishment of the International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods in 2013.
This Red List is published in English and French. A German version is being prepared to adapt to the different regions concerned.
WHY A WEST AFRICAN RED LIST?
Though protected by various national laws and international treaties, West African cultural objects are in high demand on the art and antiquities market and are thus at risk of being illegally traded.
The recent conflict in Mali also highlighted the need for a new Red List for West Africa, particularly in light of the risks to manuscripts and of the looting of sites in the north of the country. ICOM therefore included in this Red List an "Emergency" section specifically dedicated to Mali.
The unveiling of the Red List was held on Friday 16 December, 2016, at the National Museum of Mali under the High Patronage of the Minister of Culture Mrs. N'Diaye Ramatoulaye Diallo.
