A new tentative date has emerged for the return of the Axum Obelisk. Despite announcements identifying 11th April as the day Italy will start returning the dismantled sections of the ancient stele to Ethiopia, it now seems likely that the obelisk will begin arriving on 13th April, a two day delay on the date announced in early March by the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry.

The obelisk has been cut into three sections, and has been awaiting its return in a warehouse near Rome airport. The top piece of the obelisk is now scheduled to leave Rome on a cargo plane on 12th April and be flown directly to Axum a day later.

Preparations have been underway in Ethiopia for its return for some time now. Following agreements with Italy in 1956 and 1997, Ethiopia formed a national committee for the return of the obelisk, which worked with the International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property to prepare the segmentation and transportation of the obelisk to Ethiopia.

UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – will send an evaluation team to Axum, at the request of the Ethiopian and Italian governments, to help with the identification, protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage. The organisation will play a key part in putting together the re-installation project for the obelisk and the development of the site, which will be funded by Italy. Ethiopian authorities have already modernised the airport and reinforced the two bridges it is due to cross on its journey.

ENDS