Sudan recovers 570 artefacts looted during conflict

January 12, 2026 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan announced on Monday the recovery of 570 artefacts looted during the ongoing conflict, following an international effort to track the stolen items.

Since April 2025, the Sudanese government has collaborated with Interpol and UNESCO to retrieve the pieces, which authorities said were smuggled out of the country through two neighbouring nations.

Minister of Culture and Information Khalid Aleisir is scheduled to speak in the eastern city of Port Sudan on Tuesday to provide the full details of the recovery operation. The Sudan News Agency reported that an official ceremony, under the theme “A Perfect Conclusion,” will mark the return of items spanning from the prehistoric era to the modern day.

The recovery of the artefacts is part of a broader national effort to protect cultural heritage and preserve Sudan’s historical identity amidst the instability. The National Museum in Khartoum, on the Blue Nile, had its entire collection looted, except for a single piece. The site was under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from the start of the conflict until the army regained control in March 2024.

Other sites targeted during the fighting include 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. The Sultan Ali Dinar Museum in El Fasher, North Darfur, was also affected.

Khalid Aleisir described the return of the items as a significant national achievement that reflects the state’s commitment to safeguarding its civilization.

Under Article 8 of the Rome Statute and the Hague Convention, attacks on museums and cultural heritage during armed conflict are classified as war crimes. UNESCO also maintains strict prohibitions against the illicit trafficking of cultural property.