UNESCO has issued a call for the protection of the Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe, a crucial World Heritage site located in a semi-desert landscape between the Nile and Atbara rivers. This region served as the heartland of the Kingdom of Kush from the 8th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D. Comprising the royal city of the Kushite kings at Meroe, the religious site of Naqa, and the temple complex Musawwarat es Sufra, the site was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2011.
Amid reports indicating military activities in the area, UNESCO has urged all concerned parties to fully adhere to international law, including the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. This convention stipulates that cultural property must not be targeted or used for military purposes. UNESCO is closely monitoring the evolving situation and emphasizes the importance of respecting the cultural heritage in the region.
Due to the increased risk of looting and illicit trafficking of cultural property, exacerbated by reduced security capacity at Sudanese heritage sites, UNESCO calls for heightened vigilance among law enforcement agencies, art market participants, and cultural professionals. They are urged to refrain from acquiring or participating in the import, export, or transfer of ownership of cultural property if there is reasonable cause to believe that the objects have been stolen, illegally alienated, clandestinely excavated, or illegally exported from Sudan.
UNESCO has been actively engaged in supporting the culture, education, science, and information sectors in Sudan since April 2023. In addition to reiterating the importance of international law, the organization has implemented a series of emergency measures in Sudan and neighboring countries to safeguard cultural heritage in the region.
