The Cultural Toll of War: Sudan's Museums in Ruins

As Sudan's military seeks to regain control, the National Museum stands as a stark reminder of the cultural damage inflicted by two years of war. Officials report extensive looting and destruction of artifacts, underscoring a deliberate assault on the nation’s historical identity amid the violence.

The Sudan National Museum, once a symbol of the nation's rich heritage with its stunning artifacts, has fallen victim to the ravages of war. Not long ago, the grounds were alive with children marveling at ancient statues of rams and lions — remnants from the Nubian kingdoms that once dominated Egypt to the north. Paintings reflecting centuries of Christian history adorned its walls and attracted avid tourists, while concerts echoed in the museum's expansive areas. Yet, the outbreak of war two years ago dramatically altered this scene.

With the Sudanese military poised to regain control of the capital, the tumultuous aftermath reveals extensive destruction across Khartoum. Government buildings, banks, and cultural sites lie in ruins, none more so than the National Museum, which has been severely affected by conflict. Officials estimate that tens of thousands of artifacts have been either ravaged or looted, exacerbated during the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in central Khartoum.

Ikhlas Abdel Latif Ahmed, director of the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums, lamented the loss: "They destroyed our identity, and our history." Prior to the conflict, the museum was undergoing renovations, leading many valuable artifacts to be boxed. This inadvertently facilitated theft when RSF militants targeted the site. Although Sudanese officials suspect stolen treasures were sold, potentially in the United Arab Emirates, concrete evidence remains elusive.

The condition of the museum represents a broader cultural crisis. A recent UNESCO warning underscored the urgent threat to Sudanese cultural heritage, while the ongoing conflict has led to the systematic dismantling of historical sites. The looting extends beyond museums, impacting various ancient locales, provoking fears of culture loss.

Despite the grim circumstances, Ahmed remains resolute about restoration efforts to reclaim the looted treasures and revive the museum's former glory: "Inshallah, we will get all our collections back. And we build it more beautiful than before." Meanwhile, the Sudanese government plans to enlist Interpol and UNESCO's assistance in recovering lost artifacts, although such endeavors are fraught with challenges in a volatile security environment.

Critics, including policy analyst Amgad Farid, argue that these acts of looting represent more than criminality—they signify a calculated effort to erase Sudan's historical narrative, depriving its people of their cultural legacy. The effects of war are immeasurable, with nearly 13 million displaced and around 150,000 casualties since fighting began in 2023.

As the situation unfolds and the military asserts control, the fate of Sudan's cultural institutions hangs precariously in the balance, reflecting the deep wounds inflicted on both the people and their heritage in a time of upheaval.