Sudan’s National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM) has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of looting archaeological treasures, including gold, from the National Museum in Khartoum, in what experts describe as a devastating loss to the country’s cultural heritage.
NCAM Director Ghalia Garelnabi stated that assailants ransacked the museum, deliberately destroying artifacts by smashing them underfoot in an apparent attempt to erase Sudan’s historical identity.
A video published by the Sudan Tribune revealed extensive looting and destruction inside the museum, which has housed relics from Sudan’s ancient civilizations since its opening in 1971.
The only major artifact left intact is the seven-tonne statue of King Taharqa of the 25th Dynasty, likely spared due to its weight. Meanwhile, museum records, furniture, and equipment were also destroyed, with officials fearing an attempt to erase institutional documentation.
A preliminary assessment found that nearly 90% of the museum’s holdings were either looted or destroyed. Similar destruction was reported at the Nyala Museum in Darfur and the Khalifa House Museum in Omdurman. The Sultan Ali Dinar Palace and Museum in El Fasher were also shelled, causing extensive damage.
Sudanese authorities say looted artifacts are being smuggled across borders, with South Sudan being a primary route. UNESCO has urged international art traders to refrain from acquiring stolen cultural property, confirming that at least 10 museums and cultural centers in Sudan have been looted since the war began in April 2023.