By patricia.ngevao@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – In Sierra Leone, the Congo Cross Bridge in Freetown is more than just a busy crossing; it is a symbol of the country’s difficult history, especially during the civil war in the 1990s. This bridge is known for being the site where government forces and civil defence units successfully halted rebels, preventing their advance into the west end of the capital, on January 6th, the day the rebels first entered the city since the conflict began in 1991.
Known as the “Peace Bridge,” it stands as a reminder of hope and unity after the conflict, representing Sierra Leone’s path to peace. Yet, how many of our children today know its significance? How many know the stories this bridge has seen, or the people it has connected?
On a faithful Sunday evening as my siblings and I made our way home after spending the day with our cousin at Aberdeen. The sunset painted the sky with hues of orange, and everything felt calm, except for one thing, the traffic. We got caught up in a long, slow-moving line of cars at Congo Cross Bridge. As we sat in the car, inching forward bit by bit, my brother couldn’t help but comment, “This bridge usually has traffic at this time of day.”
That casual remark sparked a deeper conversation once we finally got home. As we spent some time on the veranda, my sister, still irritated by the delay, asked, “What’s the big deal with that Congo Cross Bridge anyway?
I took a moment to think, then asked her, “Do you know anything about the history of Congo Cross Bridge?” She shook her head, and so did my brother. “It’s just a bridge,” he said, shrugging. But that’s where they were wrong.
At that moment, I realized that while this generation knows the bridge for its daily traffic, few remember its history as the Peace Bridge, a site that once held a symbol of unity after the civil war. Congo Cross Bridge is more than just a structure for vehicles to pass over. I explained to them that the bridge played an important role in Sierra Leone’s history, particularly after the civil war. There were times when leaders, soldiers, and citizens alike crossed that bridge with hopes for a unified country. They called it the Peace Bridge for a reason.
As I spoke, I could see the surprise in their eyes. “We had no idea,” my sister said quietly. It was clear that to them, and perhaps many others of their generation, the bridge was just another spot on their daily commute. They had no clue about the significance it once held.
It made me reflect on how easily we let these important stories slip away, especially when they’re tied to physical places like Congo Cross Bridge. While the younger generation knows about modern landmarks, they seem to be disconnected from the history that shaped our nation. How many people driving over that bridge every day know it once stood as proof of our country’s strength and unity?
In other countries, they honour their landmarks, turning them into sites of pride and memory. People visit these places, not just because they’re famous, but because they tell the story of the nation’s journey. Here, it feels like we’ve allowed such sites to fade into the unknown.
As the conversation wound down, I realized how crucial it is to keep these stories alive, not just in textbooks, but in the spaces that surround us. Congo Cross Bridge may seem like just another part of the city, but it’s a reminder of our past.
Children nowadays know only the present. Their sense of place is rooted solely in the now, not in the legacies that brought us here. We should be taking pride in the Congo Cross Bridge, just as people in other nations revere their monuments of history. We should walk these young people across it, telling them the stories of the peace agreements and the hardships endured in those trying times. And not just this bridge, there are countless other locations throughout Sierra Leone that deserve recognition.
The said bridge may seem like just another part of the city, but it’s a reminder of our past. It’s a piece of history we should never let fade, no matter how much traffic builds up on it today.
History is more than dates and names; it is living, breathing places that carry the weight of our past. Yes, we must teach history, but beyond textbooks, we must tell our stories through the landmarks that shaped them. We must immortalize our history through tourism, museums, and the preservation of cultural sites.
Several countries around the world are leading the preservation of cultural heritage sites, including some standout examples in Africa. Ethiopia, with 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, has made remarkable efforts to protect its ancient cultural legacy, including the renowned rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. South Africa has also made significant advancements, particularly with the conservation of sites like Robben Island and the Cradle of Humankind, which are both well-maintained and promoted for cultural education and tourism. Egypt, with seven World Heritage Sites, continues its strong tradition of protecting its ancient monuments, such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings. Tanzania, despite facing various challenges, has successfully preserved important cultural and natural heritage sites like the Selous Game Reserve and the Stone Town of Zanzibar.
Globally, countries like China, Germany, and France have set high standards in heritage conservation. China leads the way with 59 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Beijing’s Forbidden City and Mount Huangshan. Germany, with 54 heritage sites, has demonstrated success in maintaining a diverse range of cultural and natural landmarks, such as Cologne Cathedral and the Wadden Sea. France, with 53 sites, continues to conserve iconic landmarks, including the Palace of Versailles and Mont-Saint-Michel. These countries have shown long-term dedication to heritage conservation, supported by international organizations like UNESCO and efforts to balance urban development with cultural preservation.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established to address the atrocities committed during the civil war, providing a platform for victims and perpetrators to share their experiences. The TRC’s findings highlighted the importance of memorializing sites that hold historical significance, particularly those associated with the war. According to the report, preserving places like Congo Cross Bridge is essential for fostering a culture of peace, understanding, and reconciliation in Sierra Leone.
When we fail to preserve our landmarks, we lose more than just buildings or structures. We lose context, we lose meaning. Think of places like Lumley Beach or the Cotton Tree in central Freetown, which holds centuries of history within its roots. These are more than tourist attractions; they are chapters in our story that must not be forgotten.
In many other countries, children grow up knowing the significance of their historical sites. From the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Statue of Liberty in the U.S., these monuments serve as tangible reminders of their nation’s past. Tourism in these places thrives not just on beauty, but on the richness of the stories they tell. In contrast, our historical landmarks like the Congo Cross Bridge are often passed by with barely a second glance.
In Sierra Leone, we seem to take these monuments for granted. We fail to maintain them, and even worse, we fail to pass on their stories. How often do we hear about the important landmarks in Freetown that shaped our country’s history? How often do we reflect on the role of these spaces in peacebuilding, in community connection?
The TRC underscored the necessity of remembering the past to avoid repeating the mistakes that led to the war. By designating Congo Cross Bridge as a monumental site, the commission advocates for a space that encourages reflection on the historical context of the conflict acknowledges the suffering endured by many, and promotes dialogue among communities as they work toward rebuilding trust and harmony.
The Congo Cross Bridge should be a place of pilgrimage for anyone wanting to understand Sierra Leone’s journey from conflict to peace. We need to reframe the way we talk about history. Instead of simply focusing on names and dates, we must breathe life into the stories of the places around us.
The way forward is clear: we must tell our stories not only through education but through tourism, museums, and the preservation of the physical spaces where history happened. Let us remind our children that Congo Cross Bridge is not just a structure of steel and concrete, it is a bridge to our past and a path to understanding the future.
If we want to preserve our culture and heritage, we must begin by preserving the places where our history was made. PSN/21/10/2024
