Sudan’s museums were at high risk of theft and looting as weeks of armed conflicts have plunged the capital Khartoum and elsewhere in the country into turmoil, heritage experts warned on Monday.

Fierce battles occurred between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) near the Sudan Museum of Natural History and Sudan National Museum, raising fears of losing the country’s archaeological treasures.

The Sudan National Museum, located on Nile Street in the heart of Khartoum, is witnessing violent battles in its vicinity.

Abdullah Sheikh Idris, a researcher on Sudanese heritage, said there were fierce battles near the museum, with reports of damage to the facility.

“There are unconfirmed witnesses of statues and valuables being looted by thieves.

“These reports are disturbing, and we hope that the authorities will act to protect the museum and recover the stolen goods,” said Mr Idris.

The Sudan National Museum opened in 1971 and is the largest museum in Sudan. It contains Sudan’s archaeological holdings dating back to prehistoric times and even the period of the Nubian kingdoms.

Sudan’s Natural History Museum, housing some rare species of animals, herbs, and plant seeds of economic importance, triggered the same concern.

In a press release, Sarah Said, director of the Sudan Museum of Natural History, said animals were dying of hunger at the national museum.

“The last supply for these rare animals was on Friday, April 14, just before the start of the war.

“We communicated with all concerned parties, but no one was able to reach the museum, fearing for their safety amidst the clashes.

“We lost animals and reptiles that were very important for research in the Faculty of Science and for education in general for various groups,” she said.

Since April 15, Sudan has been witnessing bloody clashes between the country’s two largest military forces.

According to UN statistics, the fighting led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Sudanese, with some fleeing to safer areas in Sudan and others taking refuge in neighbouring countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia and Chad.

Clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF left 550 people dead and about 5,000 injured, according to the latest statistics of the Sudanese Ministry of Health.

(Xinhua/NAN)