September 13, Nairobi — On Thursday, the UN cultural affairs agency, UNESCO expressed deep concern over the looting and damage of museums and heritage sites in Sudan amid the war. The impact of this crisis on Sudan’s heritage, cultural institutions and artists, has reached an “unprecedented level,” UNESCO said.
The targets for armed groups have reportedly included the National Museum in Khartoum, where tens of thousands of artifacts were reportedly looted. The museum, regarded by experts as one of Africa’s most important, is located in an area controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Staff had been forced to abandon the site shortly after fighting erupted between the RSF and the army last year.
Earlier this month, Sudan’s national broadcaster reported that the museum had been targeted by “a large-scale looting and smuggling operation.”
UNESCO also said private collections have reportedly been targeted along with looting of museums and archaeological sites. They called on the international community to do its utmost to protect Sudan’s heritage from destruction and illicit trafficking.