Objectives:
PROCHE is a project looking into the origins of the works and objects currently in the AfricaMuseum’s collections, the vast majority of which come from Restitution of historical objects between DRC and Belgium. This project involves collaboration between Belgian and Congolese institutions.Led by Célia Charkaoui, the project was launched in the context of the Bill of July 3, 2022 on ‘Recognizing the Alienability of Goods Linked to the Belgian State’s Colonial Past and Determining a Legal Framework for Their Restitution and Return. The project involves collaboration with the Institut des musées nationaux du Congo (IMNC), the academic sector, and other heritage institutions in the DRC to research provenance.
Restitution Measures:
The systematic provenance research creates documentation necessary for identifying objects eligible for restitution under Belgian law.
Framework Limitations:
The project had a limited timeframe (2023-2025), creating pressure to research 83,000+ objects within a short period. Three-month researcher placements may be insufficient for comprehensive provenance investigations of complex colonial-era acquisitions. The project focuses solely on AfricaMuseum collections, excluding Congolese objects in other Belgian institutions or private collections. PROCHE provides research findings but cannot itself execute restitution; outcomes depend on subsequent political decisions and bilateral negotiations between Belgium and DRC governments.
