``Sudan Heritage Protection`` Initiative Calls for Ceasefire and Preservation of Civilians, and Protection of Archaeological Sites
Cairo - moatinoon
A cultural group concerned with Sudanese heritage, appealing to the warring parties, has called for preventing the expansion of the war to archaeological sites, historical reserves, and natural areas. The organization urged the United Nations and UNESCO to intervene and protect archaeological areas.
This came in a statement issued by the "Sudan Heritage Protection" initiative following the appearance of images and recordings of armed individuals affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces militia in the archaeological area of "Al-Naqaa" in the River Nile State.
The initiative explained that the area is one of the archaeological sites registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The site includes historical structures dating back to 250 BCE, along with statues, artifacts, temples, and shrines from the Meroitic period - 350 BCE to 350 CE, making it a highly significant archaeological site that requires preservation and careful handling, considering its historical value and responsibility towards this enduring human heritage.
The "Sudan Heritage Protection" initiative is a cultural group concerned with calling for the rescue and preservation of Sudanese heritage, both material and immaterial. It includes academics in the fields of heritage, archaeology, sociology, history, arts, drama, music, journalism, literature, and photography, along with activists in various civil society interests and fields. The initiative is calling on the army and the Rapid Support Forces to prevent the spread of the war to archaeological sites, historical reserves, and natural areas.
The initiative noted that since yesterday, Sunday, January 14th, images and videos have been circulated showing armed individuals at the "Al-Naqaa" archaeological site, 170 km northeast of Khartoum, in the River Nile State.
The initiative condemned the irresponsible treatment of civilians, civilian properties, archaeological sites, museums, historical reserves, and natural areas, calling on the warring parties in Sudan to cease the war and not turn civilian areas, properties, and archaeological sites into theaters for military operations.
It urged all parties to avoid civilians and civilian properties in general, and archaeological sites, historical reserves, and archaeological artifacts from the destructive consequences of war. It also called for refraining from using symbolic landmarks to direct the war to archaeological sites. The initiative appealed to the United Nations and UNESCO to urgently intervene to stop the war, protect civilians, and preserve Sudanese archaeological sites.
