Sudan’s National Museum in Khartoum, once a beacon of the nation’s rich historical legacy, now stands devastated after nearly two years of conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The museum, which housed artifacts spanning from the Paleolithic era through the Napatan and Meroitic kingdoms to Christian and Islamic periods, has been systematically looted and destroyed.
Gamal ElDeen Zain al-Abdeen, an officer at Sudan’s National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating that the RSF had “destroyed everything, including all that concerns the Sudanese individual and the civilization of the Sudanese people.” He highlighted that the most valuable artifacts, particularly those made of or plated with gold and stored in the museum’s strong room, were looted.
The museum’s interior now bears the scars of war: shattered glass, broken mummy coffins, and empty display cases. Local resident Sedeeq Mohamed Sedeeq lamented the cultural loss, accusing the RSF of erasing a history that spans over 7,000 years.
The destruction extended beyond the National Museum. The Ethnography Museum also suffered significant damage, with its walls demolished and exhibition halls and administrative offices burned.
The RSF reportedly occupied parts of the National Museum for two years, using it as a base while systematically looting its collections. Many of the stolen items have since surfaced on online marketplaces, prompting UNESCO to issue warnings against the illicit trade of Sudanese artifacts.
This cultural devastation underscores the broader humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where ongoing conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement. International efforts to assess the damage and initiate restoration of the country’s cultural heritage sites are now underway.
