The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expressed deep concern on Thursday over reports of armed groups looting museums and heritage sites in war-torn Sudan.
UNESCO highlighted the destruction of cultural institutions, including the National Museum of Sudan, which houses over 2,700 artifacts, some from ancient Egyptian and Nubian dynasties.
The agency has been closely monitoring the impact of the conflict on Sudan’s cultural heritage since hostilities began in April 2023 between the army al Burhan’s army SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The fighting has devastated the country, affecting not just people but also its rich cultural history.
UNESCO expressed particular alarm over the increased looting in recent weeks, describing it as an “unprecedented threat” to Sudan’s cultural heritage.
The organization urged the international art market and the public to avoid trading or purchasing any cultural property from the region.
In response, UNESCO is planning to train law enforcement and judicial members from Sudan’s neighboring countries in Cairo later this year to protect cultural heritage from trafficking and destruction.
Additionally, UNESCO has supported emergency measures in five Sudanese archaeological museums, working to secure endangered collections and establish safe havens to prevent further loss of historical artifacts.
The looting of these cultural treasures adds to the tragedy of Sudan’s ongoing war, further endangering the country’s rich historical legacy.
