Museums authorities in Sudan have contacted UNESCO and other international bodies to explain the grave losses caused by looting of historic Sudanese artifacts and asked for help on measures to be adopted to avert further damages.
Altaghyeer: Abdullah Berair
Director of the Museums Department in Sudan’s National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums has dismissed any credibility on the part of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) who claimed they would work to protect the museums in areas under their control.
Dr. Ikhlas Abd El latief described as “devoid of truth” any RSF claims about protection of antiquities.
“How can they protect Sudanese heritage while they stole and trafficked artifacts of Nyala Museums (Darfur), Al-Khalifa House in Omdurman and the National Museum in Khartoum”, she wondered. “Definitely they are not the ones who will safeguard the heritage and it is not expected from them to do so”, Abd El latief told Altaghyeer.
She said the Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums is now engaged in efforts to recover and protect the stolen artifacts. “We have contacted UNESCO and other international bodies to explain the gravity of the situation of the Sudanese historic artifacts and have solicited assistance on measures that should be adopted”, she added.
The devastating ordeal of the Sudan’s rich heritage has been the focus of a number of media outlets and cultural institutions this week.
The British Times newspaper reported that “Sudan’s priceless archeological heritage is being stripped from museums, with looters loading statuettes and fragments of ancient palaces onto trucks, smuggling them out of the war-torn country, and selling them online.”
The newspaper said the objects were probably stolen from the Sudan National Museum which and many other museums are in areas under the RSF control.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said it is deeply alarmed by recent reports of possible looting and damage of several museums and heritage institutions in Sudan, including the National Museum, by armed groups.
“In recent weeks, this threat to culture appears to have reached an unprecedented level, with reports of looting of museums, heritage and archaeological sites and private collections,” it said.
The UN cultural agency called on the international community to do its utmost to protect Sudan’s heritage from destruction and illicit trafficking.
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