Sudan Events – Follow-ups
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expressed deep concern over the ongoing destruction of Sudanese cultural heritage and the illicit trade of artifacts due to the war that erupted in April 2023.
In a message addressed to the Joint Campaign to Stop the War in Sudan, Assistant Director-General for African Affairs, Firmin Edouard Matoko, emphasized that UNESCO is closely monitoring the humanitarian and on-the-ground situation through its offices in Khartoum and Cairo.
The organization noted that the National Museum in Khartoum was subjected to widespread looting, along with other museums such as the Khalifa House Museum in Omdurman and the Nyala Museum in South Darfur.
In a statement issued in September 2024, UNESCO called on the international market to refrain from trading in Sudanese artifacts, warning of the devastating impact on Sudan’s historical heritage. UNESCO reaffirmed its commitment to working with its partners to protect Sudanese heritage and stand by the Sudanese people amid the consequences of the conflict.
