United Arab Emirates

A rare Ethiopian manuscript looted by British forces nearly 160 years ago has sparked a restitution dispute after resurfacing in a private sales catalogue for $250,000 at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Ethiopian authorities demanded the Gondarine Gospel's return on moral and ethical grounds, but the Vienna-based dealer Inlibris refused, citing a lack of legal grounds for restitution.

The article highlights the comprehensive and multifaceted cooperation between Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates that is built on a strong foundation. It underscores the enduring partnership between the two nations across various sectors.

An 18th-century illuminated Ethiopian Gospel manuscript looted during the 1868 Battle of Maqdala has been listed for private sale in Abu Dhabi for €250,000. Heritage experts and advocates are urging international diplomatic intervention to halt the transaction and return the manuscript to Ethiopia, though legal mechanisms are limited under UNESCO frameworks.

The ongoing US-Iran conflict is straining the fiscal positions of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, potentially hindering nearly $4 trillion in economic commitments they made to the US under Trump's "America First" agenda. A Peterson Institute report says the war has sharply cut Gulf growth forecasts and weakened confidence in US security guarantees, which may push these countries to prioritize domestic investment over US commitments. Delays could also invite pressure from the White House, which has previously used tariffs to enforce similar pledges.