Sudan is intensifying efforts to recover priceless cultural artifacts stolen during the ongoing conflict. Many of these items are believed to have been smuggled across borders, particularly into South Sudan, or sold internationally through private dealers.
The looting began with the National Museum in Khartoum, a repository of artifacts chronicling Sudanese civilization from the Stone Age to the Islamic period. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of plundering the museum, with reports of items being transported in large trucks through Omdurman to western Sudan and beyond the borders. However, officials face significant challenges in accessing the museum due to ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF, leaving the extent of the theft largely unknown.
Ikhlas Abdel Latif, Director of Museums and head of the Sudanese Antiquities Recovery Committee, confirmed that artifacts were trafficked to South Sudan, where they are reportedly being sold to art dealers from Europe and Africa. Sudan has officially requested South Sudan’s cooperation in preventing the sale and transfer of these artifacts, but there has been little response. Allegations have also surfaced that some South Sudanese officials may be involved in facilitating the smuggling operations.
Other museums across Sudan have suffered similar fates. The Nyala Museum in Darfur was completely looted, losing all its artifacts and even its furniture. The Khalifa Museum in Omdurman was also targeted, with parts of the building destroyed and its collections stolen. Historical landmarks, including the palace of Sultan Ali Dinar in El Fasher, were severely damaged by RSF bombardments, resulting in the loss of personal belongings, artifacts, and furniture.
The government is collaborating with international bodies, including Interpol and UNESCO, to track stolen items. Artifacts such as ancient statues, weapons, and vessels of immense historical and cultural value are being traced through online sales and smuggling networks. Recently, Sudanese authorities seized looted items, including statues, copper jugs, and antique weapons, during raids in Atbara and other areas. Arrests of foreign smugglers attempting to transport artifacts have also been made.
UNESCO has urged international actors, including art dealers, to avoid trading in stolen Sudanese artifacts and to assist in halting their illegal transfer. Experts have also raised concerns about the potential destruction of larger statues and monuments as the conflict persists. Reports suggest that some of these items are being moved or dismantled for sale, further endangering Sudan’s cultural heritage.
Despite these efforts, the scale of the looting remains unclear, and officials warn that without greater international cooperation, Sudan risks losing irreplaceable pieces of its history. Authorities emphasize the need to protect and recover these artifacts, which hold significant cultural and historical value, for the future of the nation.