UNESCO Reaffirms Commitment to Rehabilitating Sudanese Museums After Loss of 4,000 Artifacts

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon

The UNESCO has renewed its commitment to supporting the protection of Sudan’s cultural heritage and rehabilitating museums damaged by the war, stressing that museums are a cornerstone for preserving national memory and identity.

The statement was issued on the occasion of the International Museum Day, observed annually on May 18.

The organization explained that since the outbreak of war in 2023, more than 20 museums across Sudan have been looted, destroyed, or subjected to smuggling, resulting in the loss of thousands of artifacts documenting ancient civilizations, including the Nubian, Kushite, Islamic, and African civilizations.

In a message marking the occasion, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany said museums serve as spaces for dialogue and community interaction and help build shared visions despite differences. He reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to protecting museum collections, recovering cultural property, and combating illicit trafficking.

For his part, UNESCO Representative in Sudan Junied Soroush said protecting museums under the current circumstances is equivalent to protecting national memory and identity, adding that museums remain symbols of unity and resilience for the Sudanese people.

As part of its response to the crisis, UNESCO stated that it carried out emergency interventions through the Heritage Emergency Fund, including damage assessments at five major museums: Kerma Museum, Jebel Barkal Museum, Red Sea Museum, Al-Damar Museum, and Sennar Museum. These assessments enabled urgent protective measures and guided stabilization efforts.

The organization also announced the creation of a digital inventory documenting 1,737 artifacts, in addition to transferring collections from the Al-Damar Museum to the Kerma Museum for safekeeping. UNESCO further trained 40 specialists in debris removal and handling explosive hazards, helping restore safe access to museum sites.

UNESCO revealed that the National Museum of Sudan was subjected to extensive looting, with more than 4,000 artifacts reported missing. The organization said efforts are continuing in documentation, rehabilitation, and strengthening preservation and storage systems.

At the same time, UNESCO intensified its national programs to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property, training around 500 workers in the heritage sector, customs, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies. The training focused on identifying smuggled artifacts, improving documentation and border control procedures, implementing international legal frameworks, and strengthening institutional cooperation to recover stolen heritage.

The organization also expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Italian government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, alongside the Heritage Emergency Fund, in implementing projects aimed at protecting and rehabilitating Sudanese museums and laying the groundwork for long-term recovery and preservation of national heritage.

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