Guinea has formally asked France to return the skulls of several 19th-century anti-colonial leaders and personal belongings of historical figures who resisted French colonization. The Ministry of Culture confirmed the request to media houses on Thursday.
The request, submitted in mid-July, includes the skull of Boubacar Biro Barry, the last ruler of Fouta-Djalon, along with those of his son, brother and war chief, who were beheaded in 1896 after a battle against French forces.
Guinea is also seeking the return of manuscripts, a sabre, headdress and boubou tunic belonging to Samory Touré, a military leader who fought French colonial expansion. The appeal follows France’s recent efforts to return colonial-era artefacts. In September 2025, France returned three skulls of victims of colonial atrocities in Madagascar, while in May it passed legislation to simplify the restitution of looted colonial-era artworks.