Sudanese authorities announced on Saturday the approval of financial incentives for anyone who hands over antiquities in their possession or provides accurate information leading to the discovery of their locations. This move is part of the state’s efforts to protect national cultural heritage and recover looted Sudanese artifacts.
On 13 January 2026 the Deputy Director General of the General Intelligence Service, Lieutenant General Abbas Bakheet, stated that the service carried out a complex security operation that resulted in the recovery of 570 artifacts looted during the war, in addition to thwarting a plot to smuggle a large number of pieces outside of Sudan.
The Minister of Culture, Information, and Tourism, Khalid al-Aysar, stated: “We confirm the state’s commitment to incentivizing any citizen who hands over antiquities in their possession, or points out their locations if they have information, with a financial reward in appreciation of their efforts.”
The Ministry’s press office emphasized the strengthening of national heritage protection and the encouragement of community participation in preserving Sudan’s civilization.
It further stressed that this initiative is part of efforts to enhance community partnership and serves as an open invitation to all citizens to contribute to protecting Sudan’s civilizational legacy for future generations.
