Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters have reportedly looted the National Museum of Sudan in Khartoum and smuggled some of its artifacts across the country’s southern border.
Backed by the United Arab Emirates, the paramilitary RSF has been at war with Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April last year.
The SBC, Sudan’s national broadcaster, reported on Sunday that “a large-scale looting and smuggling operation” affected contents of the museum, but it did not specify which artifacts have been stolen.
It added that the operation took place in the RSF-controlled area earlier this year.
“Satellite images have confirmed that trucks loaded with items left the museum early this year, heading toward the border with South Sudan,” the report said, adding that the trucks were carrying exhibits from the museum.
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Citing “informed sources”, SBC reported that some of the museum’s contents have been offered for sale online and on social media, though it is unclear whether the transactions have been completed.
The news outlet said it has obtained footage confirming the sale of the museum’s contents. Middle East Eye could not independently verify the report.
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The RSF was previously accused of looting the museum in April 2023, at the beginning of the war, but it denied the claims and insisted that it was carrying out its responsibility of safeguarding the building and its contents.
According to footage seen by MEE, RSF fighters last year raided the M Bolheim Bioarchaeology Laboratory in Khartoum, where human remains, including bones and skeletons, are thought to date from 3300-3000 BCE.
The National Museum of Sudan is one of the largest and oldest museums in the country. Its collection includes archaeological artifacts from different periods of Sudanese history, from the Stone Age to the Islamic period.
Fighting between the RSF and SAF has displaced more than 10 million people, and brought more than a third of the 48 million population to the brink of famine.
Rights groups have accused the RSF of a multitude of atrocities against civilians in Sudan, including unlawful killings, rapes and ethnic cleansing.
In May, Human Rights Watch said the violence in Darfur committed by RSF militias could constitute genocide against the Massalit community.