Sudan has reclaimed 570 cultural artefacts that were stolen during the nation’s ongoing civil war, unveiling them in a ceremony that highlighted the urgent need to preserve the country’s historical heritage.
The collection, spanning prehistoric, ancient, Islamic, and modern eras, was displayed publicly for the first time, drawing attention to the extensive damage suffered by museums and cultural sites across the country.
Dr Jibril Ibrahim, the Minister of Finance and National Economy, described the recovered items as a testament to Sudan’s history and cultural identity. He urged the continuation of efforts to locate and recover looted objects, stressing the importance of creating a comprehensive national inventory and raising public awareness about the protection of cultural property.
“The minister pointed to the importance of forming a committee of competent authorities to tour all the states of the country to collect and recover the looted antiquities, while at the same time appealing to the neighbouring regional countries to support and assist Sudan in recovering its archaeological holdings,” Jibril told the state-owned Sudan News Agency (SUNA).
For several months, authorities have been tracking stolen artefacts. Since April 2025, Sudan has collaborated with Interpol and UNESCO to trace items smuggled out of the country through neighbouring nations.
The newly recovered objects represent only a fraction of the thousands of artefacts looted since the outbreak of fighting. Major institutions, including the National Museum in Khartoum, the Presidential Palace Museum, the Armed Forces Museum, the Khalifa House Museum, the Ethnography Museum, and the Natural History Museum at the University of Khartoum, were severely affected during the 2023 conflict.
“The recovery of hundreds of artefacts is an important event, as they represent history, identity, and civilisation. Those who stole them aimed to obliterate Sudan’s identity and distort its civilisation,” Jibril said, underlining that these recovered pieces are a reminder of the country’s heritage and the ongoing efforts to locate additional looted objects.
