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January 12, 2026 (PORT SUDAN) – On Monday, Sudan reported the retrieval of 570 artifacts that had been taken during the current conflict, as part of a global initiative to locate the stolen items.

Starting from April 2025, the Sudanese government has worked with Interpol and UNESCO to recover the artifacts, which officials stated were illegally taken out of the country via two neighboring countries.

The Minister of Culture and Information, Khalid Aleisir, is set to address the eastern city of Port Sudan on Tuesday, offering comprehensive information about the recovery operation. According to the Sudan News Agency, an official ceremony themed “A Perfect Conclusion” will celebrate the return of items ranging from prehistoric times to the modern era.

The retrieval of the artifacts is a component of a larger national initiative aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage and maintaining Sudan’s historical identity during times of turmoil. The National Museum located in Khartoum, situated along the Blue Nile, had all its collection stolen, with only one item remaining. The location was under the jurisdiction of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the beginning of the conflict until the military retook control in March 2024.

Other locations that were targeted during the conflict include the Presidential Palace Museum, the Military Museum, the Khalifa House Museum, the Museum of Ethnography, and the Natural History Museum located at the University of Khartoum. The Sultan Ali Dinar Museum in El Fasher, North Darfur, was also impacted.

Khalid Aleisir characterized the return of the items as a major national success, highlighting the country’s dedication to protecting its heritage.

According to Article 8 of the Rome Statute and the Hague Convention, targeting museums and cultural heritage sites during conflicts is considered a war crime. UNESCO enforces rigorous restrictions on the illegal trade of cultural artifacts.