ETHIOPIA: Thousands greet return of stolen artefact

Hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians celebrated the return of a sacred artefact on Saturday which was looted by British troops 134 years ago. Thousands lined the streets as the 400 year-old tabot – a representation of the Ark of the Covenant – was taken to Addis Ababa’s Trinity Church where the relic will be stored. It is one of the few items returned by the British after the Battle of Maqdala in 1868 – treasure which is now said to be worth US $4.2 billion. In 1868 British troops stormed and pillaged the-then capital of Abyssinia during a mission to secure the release of two British envoys being held captive by Emperor Tewodros. The emperor shot himself rather than face defeat.