A statue at Addis Ababa University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on December 11, 2019 Photo: AFP

Ethiopia on Saturday hailed the return of precious artifacts looted by British soldiers more than 150 years ago, after a long campaign for their restitution.

The collection - recovered from Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands - includes a ceremonial crown, an imperial shield, a set of silver-embossed horn drinking cups, a handwritten prayer book, crosses and a necklace.

Most of the items were plundered by the British army after it defeated Emperor Tewodros II in the Battle of Magdala in 1868 in what was then Abyssinia.

The treasures were unwrapped before the media at Ethiopia's national museum on Saturday, more than two months after they were formally handed over at a ceremony in London in September.

Ethiopia said it was the largest such repatriation of artifacts to the country, with its ambassador to Britain, Teferi Melesse, describing it as of "huge significance." 

Calls have long been mounting in Africa for Western countries to return their colonial spoils, with many prized national treasures held abroad in museums or sometimes private collections.

Earlier in November, the West African state of Benin welcomed back nearly 30 royal treasures seized during France's rule more than 130 years ago. 

The Ethiopian government is still fighting for Britain to return other stolen artifacts including sacred wooden and stone tabots or tablets, which represent the Ark of the Covenant.

The tabots are housed in the British Museum in London - which has a vast trove of foreign treasures - but have never been put on public display.

Ethiopia is also seeking the remains of Tewodros' son Prince Alemayehu who was taken to Britain after the emperor committed suicide following his battlefield defeat.

"A variety of artifacts which are a legacy of our culture and values were looted during the battle and taken out of the country illegally," Ethiopian Tourism Minister Nasise Challi said in a statement.

Ethiopia, one of the world's oldest countries with a rich and ancient cultural and religious heritage, has said it considers the ransacking of Magdala a "great injustice" that has been a thorn in relations with Britain.

Several of the returned items were due to be auctioned but were bought by the nonprofit Scheherazade Foundation with the aim of repatriation. Others were acquired from private dealers or investors.

Ethiopia is also negotiating for the return of a bible and cross that were set for the auction block in the US.

AFP