00:00Another consequence of the ongoing civil war in Sudan is the immense damage to the region's
00:12museums and archaeological sites. Beyond the tens of thousands of lives lost and millions
00:18of people displaced by three years of violence, cultural relics and important structures have
00:24also been destroyed. Official data shows some 22 national museums were damaged or robbed,
00:31and about 4,000 pieces of cultural relics have been reported missing. Officials with Sudan's
00:36Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism say the lost relics pose a grave threat to people's
00:42self-identity and history. Many museums have been looted and vandalized, which are among the most
00:51serious consequences of the conflict. This devastation threatens to destroy our culture,
00:56erase our history, and undermine the Sudanese people's recognition of their historical heritage
01:02and identity. Since the relics have already been smuggled out of Sudan, archaeological experts
01:08in the United Nations are urging the global art community to remain vigilant. We must hold these
01:17relic looters accountable and urge the international community to take actions against the theft and
01:21smuggling of these artifacts. At the end of January, the Sudanese government announced that it has
01:27recovered 570 pieces of cultural relics, hoping to eventually rebuild the museums to house them.
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