Sudanese Government Announces Financial Incentives to Recover Looted Antiquities

Sudanese authorities announced on Saturday the introduction of financial incentives for anyone who surrenders artifacts in their possession or provides precise information leading to the discovery of their locations. The initiative is part of the state’s efforts to protect the national cultural heritage and recover looted Sudanese antiquities.

On January 13, the Deputy Director General of the General Intelligence Service, Lieutenant General Abbas Bakhit, stated that the agency had carried out a complex security operation that resulted in the recovery of 570 antiquities looted during the war, in addition to foiling a plot to smuggle a large number of pieces out of Sudan.

Minister of Culture, Information, and Tourism Khalid Al-Eisir said: “The state reaffirms its commitment to incentivizing any citizen who surrenders artifacts in their possession or provides information about their whereabouts, with a financial reward in recognition of their efforts.”

The ministry’s press office emphasized the importance of strengthening national heritage protection and encouraging community participation in preserving Sudan’s cultural legacy. It stressed that this initiative is part of broader efforts to foster community partnership and represents an open invitation to all citizens to contribute to safeguarding Sudan’s heritage for future generations.