As a founding member of the Blue Shield, the International Council on Archives (ICA) fully supports the Blue Shield Statement on Sudan issued on 21 November 2025. We stand in solidarity with the communities affected by the conflict and echo the urgent call to respect human life, dignity, and cultural heritage.
The Blue Shield has been monitoring the situation in Sudan since 2023 and notes with serious concern the damage reported at several heritage sites, including the historic Sultan Ali Dinar Palace in El-Fasher. These events highlight the growing risks faced by museums, archives, sacred spaces, and archaeological sites, heritage that forms the cultural memory and identity of communities.
The ICA joins the Blue Shield in urging all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property, including its Protocols. Protecting cultural heritage is an essential component of safeguarding communities and supporting avenues for future peace.
