Port Sudan, January 14 (Darfur24)
Sudanese authorities announced on Tuesday the recovery of 570 artifacts looted from the country’s museums during the war.
Dr. Graham Abdel Qader, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Information, and Tourism, said during a press conference in Port Sudan that the recovery represents a major national achievement reflecting the historical depth and cultural significance of Sudanese civilization.
Abdel Qader noted that before the outbreak of fighting in April 2023, around 40 foreign archaeological missions were operating in Sudan, highlighting the country’s strong scientific and cultural ties with the international community. He cited prominent missions, including the Swiss archaeological mission, and added that major international museums — notably the Louvre — still house Sudanese artifacts, underscoring Sudan’s historical influence on global heritage.
He revealed that a specialized committee for the protection of culture and antiquities had been formed in coordination with the General Intelligence Service and other national bodies, describing its results as “astonishing.”
According to Abdel Qader, inventory operations showed that 68 artifacts were missing from the Gezira Museum out of 408 pieces, and a similar number from the Ethnographic Museum out of 4,600 artifacts. Around 200 pieces were reported missing from the Khalifa House Museum. He added that some artifacts remain in the possession of citizens who safeguarded them through social and community initiatives.
The National Museum suffered extensive looting, including its main exhibition hall and storage rooms, resulting in the loss of approximately 4,000 artifacts. However, remaining collections have been inventoried, reorganized, and are now ready for display, he said.
Abdel Qader concluded that recovering 570 artifacts in a single operation is unprecedented, crediting national solidarity for the success and calling on Sudanese citizens to continue protecting the country’s cultural heritage.