There is no Nation without Heritage to Protect
Unfortunately; Sudan is inactive in the activities to protect, preserve and restore its cultural heritage, particularly; the immovable monuments and structures that tell and reflect the various events which had contributed to the nation building.
Yes, many underdeveloped countries share the same neglection, due to the complex requirement to inscribe such monuments locally and internationally.. Taking into consideration the usual fierce conflicts between Archaeologists, Urbanologists and Environmentalists on defining who is who, which is which..!!
However, the political will has the greater impact, whereas most of such monuments have appreciated land value which inevitably make them preys for developers and real estate lobbyists.. Therefore; without government support and determination, all efforts and dreams to preserve and protect such monuments are useless.
There are more than 30 international treaties, charters and declarations to manage the world heritage.. The term is significant; that whatsoever a nations has is part of the Mankind’s legacy and evolution; which have to be protected and preserved; for the living generations to epistemically understand and for the future generations to proudly know.
The World Heritage List includes Archaeological, Urban, Cultural and Natural sites. Marine heritage is also included. Therefore, it is a wide variety of monuments and sites. Only two Sudanese sites are already inscribed in the world heritage list:
- Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region, which was nominated by Sudan government in 2003 and seconded by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, of United Kingdom and listed formally in 2010
- Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe, which was nominated by Sudan government in 2004 and inspected by the a committee from the ICOMOS and listed formally in 2011
- There are a list of another sites, not only archaeological such as Suakin Island, Presidential Palace and Al-Khalifa House; which are not processed yet
The recent political developments in Sudan had created a patriotic euphoria with extended magnitudes, yet managing the historical heritage is a pure scientific endeavor that has to follow precise protocols and codes of conduct. Otherwise, no international recognition (or cooperation) will be available. Simply, no country can do it alone.
Certainly, not a single article or post will elaborate the philosophies, framework and organization, but some systematic road-map can be advised:
- Sudan has to effectively subscribe to the int’l endeavors; starting by acknowledging the documents of the historical World Heritage (WH) and sign off the active ones.
- Create and empower the National Committee of the Int’l Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS); with non-gov Chair and majority Members.
- Prepare and issue necessary laws and bylaws to define legal jurisdictions, parameters and authorizations of relevant and concerned agencies.
- Issue the essential (Legal Act) to define inscription, ownership, manage, maintain, protect, utilize and coordinate urban peripheries of the historical monuments
- Commence listing of monuments (National Inventory) based on technical and specialized assessment; with no governmental, political, religious or special interests’ influences or effects.
- Incorporate the Sudanese Historical Monuments in public media, educational, tourist and environmental programs and development plans
Finally; why this article in English? To deter the non professional or seriously concerned to engage in demagogic discussions.. Apology
Adil Mahgoub Abdalla
BA, PgDip, MSC, PhD
ICOMOS member #2005 since 1998