Italy to return obelisk to Ethiopia

The obelisk's return will fulfill a longstanding promise

By BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Peter Biles

Italy has confirmed it will return one of Ethiopia's most famous monuments - an obelisk which was taken from the country more than 60 years ago.

Axum is considered the cradle of Ethiopian civilisation

The Axum obelisk was looted by Mussolini's troops and was re-erected in Rome.

But the Italian deputy foreign minister, Reno Serri, has told the Ethiopian Government that the obelisk will be sent back to Ethiopia in the coming weeks.

Mr Serri is currently on a visit to the Horn of Africa for talks designed to help shore up the recently signed peace treaty between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Cradle of Ethiopian civilisation

The monument was taken down and cut into three pieces in 1937, before being shipped to Italy on the personal orders of Mussolini whose forces had invaded and occupied Ethiopia a year earlier.

Shortly after the end of World War II, Italy promised to return the obelisk.

Obelisks still dominate the skyline of Axum, though Mussolini chose the tallest

But more than 60 years after it was taken to Rome, it still stands in front of the building that today houses the headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, opposite the Colosseum.

After a lengthy campaign by Ethiopia to retrieve the obelisk, the Italian Government has now agreed it will be sent back soon after the New Year.

If so, it will be cause for much celebration in Ethiopia.

Axum - the historic town from which the obelisk originates - is seen as the cradle of Ethiopian civililisation.

It is understood that preparations have already been made there for the return of the monument.

During his tour, Mr Serri also announced that Italy would provide $140m towards reconstruction and development now that the border war in the Horn of Africa was over.