'War Devastated Sudan’s Museums': A Lost Heritage

Grand statues of rams and lions once stood within the premises of Sudan's National Museum, showcasing invaluable relics from the era when Nubian leaders dominated regions including parts of present-day northern Egypt. Additionally, remarkable early Christian murals adorned the walls, reflecting an extensive historical timeline.

Each day, crowds of schoolchildren would gaze in wonder at this emblem of their country’s formidable history; visitors would stream through one of Khartoum’s top attractions, and sometimes performances took place on the premises.

However, that was prior to the outbreak of war two years ago.

As the Sudanese military takes back control of the capital after ousting its adversary, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the extensive damage wrought over two years of conflict is now evident.

The government ministries, banks, and office buildings stand charred and damaged, with the museum – a emblem of the country's rich heritage and tradition – suffering significantly.

High-ranking authorities report that tens of thousands of artifacts were either demolished or transported for sale during the period when the RSF controlled central Khartoum, the area containing the museum.

Ikhlas Abdel Latif Ahmed, who serves as the director of museums at Sudan's National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums, stated to The News Pulse’s Newsday program, 'They obliterated our sense of self and erased our past,'

Prior to the conflict, the National Museum was a treasure trove.

Situated right at the center of Sudan, near the Presidential Palace and where the Blue Nile and White Nile rivers meet, it recounted the tale of the various great civilizations that have occupied this region throughout history.

During their inspection visit, museum officials found broken glass, spent cartridges scattered across the floor, and evidence of theft throughout the premises.

• An easy overview of the situation in Sudan
• The News Pulsethreads through fear, loss, and hope in Sudan’s ravaged capital following the military conquest.

"The structure was extremely distinctive and remarkably attractive," stated Ms. Ahmed.

The paramilitary group [referred to as the RSF by Sudanese authorities] seized much of the distinctive and stunning collection, while destroying and damaging the remainder.

There have been reports of looting at additional Sudanese museums and historical locations. In September last year, UNESCO, which is part of the UN’s World Heritage organization, cautioned about a “threat to cultural assets” and appealed to art traders not to traffic artifacts removed from Sudan illegally.

Prior to the conflict, the National Museum was in the process of being restored, which meant that numerous artifacts within its collection had been carefully packed away into boxes.

This might have simplified the process of removing the collections.

Sudanese authorities claim that valuable artifacts from the National Museum were removed with intentions to sell them.

They firmly believe that RSF combatants transported some of the loot to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite widespread allegations that the UAE supports the RSF financially, both entities have consistently refuted these claims.

"We had a secure vault for the gold collection, but they managed to break into it and stole all the gold," Ms Ahmed stated.

It could be that they kept it for their own use, or perhaps they exchanged it within the marketplace.

Therefore, the location of artifacts such as a golden necklace from the pyramid of King Talakhamani at Nuri, dating back to the 5th century BC, remains unclear.

When asked about the worth of the items stolen, Ms. Ahmed responded succinctly: "The artifacts from the museum have immeasurable value; they are beyond anything you can fathom."

The acting authorities in Sudan stated they plan to reach out to Interpol and UNESCO to try and retrieve artifacts stolen from the National Museum and other locations.

Yet retrieving the artifacts appears to be a challenging and potentially risky endeavor, offering slim chances for quick achievement.

The government along with other Sudanese observers claim that the RSF's assaults on museums, universities, and structures such as the National Records Office are deliberate efforts aimed at dismantling the Sudanese state—however, once more, the RSF refutes these allegations.

Amgad Farid, who leads the Fikra for Studies and Development think-tank, is notably harsh on the plundering.

"The actions of the RSF go beyond simple criminality," he stated in an article shared by his organization.

They represent a purposeful and malevolent attack on Sudan’s historic identity, aimed at undermining the irreplaceable legacy of Nubian, Coptic, and Islamic civilizations, which have endured for more than 7,000 years and form a foundation of both African and world history, as preserved in these museums.

This isn’t just collateral damage during combat—it’s a deliberate effort to obliterate Sudan's heritage, disconnect its population from their historical roots, and exploit thousands of years of cultural evolution for financial gain.

The tale of the National Museum—seized by armed individuals who then plundered its treasures—is reminiscent of countless personal narratives from Sudanese caught up in this conflict: people compelled to escape, their homes usurped, and their valuable possessions, including gold, pilfered.

As reported by the UN, around 13 million individuals have been displaced from their homes since the conflict started in 2023, with approximately 150,000 casualties.

The conflict targets the people of Sudan," Ms Ahmed remarks, lamenting the war’s toll on humans along with the incomprehensible loss of generations’ worth of cultural heritage.

Along with others who share her views, she aims to rehabilitate the National Museum and other plundered institutions.

"God willing, we will recover all of our collections," she stated.

And we make it even more beautiful than before.

Additional coverage of the conflict in Sudan from The News Pulse:

• The parent and kids caught amidst two confrontations
• Could the recapture of the presidential palace alter the trajectory of the Sudanese conflict?
• Sudan's 'unseen crisis' - where more kids are escaping conflict than in any other place

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