Date: 17th of January 2024

Subject: Condemnation of the Deployment of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Proximity to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sudan

We, the International Society for Nubian Studies, unequivocally condemn the recent fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the vicinity of two UNESCO World Heritage sites in northern Sudan – the Meroitic temples of Musawwarat and Naqaa. This act represents a flagrant violation of international norms regarding protection of cultural heritage.

We reiterate the importance of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, which explicitly prohibits the use of cultural property or its surroundings for military purposes. It is imperative that all parties involved in this conflict adhere to this international agreement to protect the world’s cultural heritage.

We call upon the international community, UNESCO, and human rights organizations to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard these historic sites. We urge all parties involved in the conflict to respect international laws and treaties regarding the protection of cultural heritage. Immediate steps must be taken to prevent further damage and to ensure the preservation of these irreplaceable sites for future generations.

Sincerely,

Artur Obłuski, President, and the Board of the International Society for Nubian Studies