construction of a bridge in the Far North region of Cameroon, specifically in the locality of Yagoua, and in the Bongor area (Chad) along the Logone River, which forms the border with the Republic of Chad.
A Facebook post published on December 10, 2023, by a user named ‘Ingénieur Ti Mbi’ claims to show the construction of the PK9 bridge in Bimbo, but this is out of context. This misleading post is intended to manipulate public opinion about an alleged bridge construction on the road axis toward the southwest, which supplies the Central African Republic. The post incorrectly shows the rehabilitation of the PK9 bridge in Bimbo, which is located on the southern outskirts of the capital and was constructed in 1945 by German cooperation but is now in a state of disrepair.
Here is the caption of the post: “Rehabilitation of the PK9 bridge in Bimbo is in progress. The work is advancing quickly… delivery deadline in one month.”
No Progress on the PK9 Bridge Construction Project on the Southern Exit of Bangui Since 2015
The PK9 bridge in Bimbo, on the southern exit of Bangui, was constructed in the 1940s by German cooperation. It is 100 meters long and 3 meters wide, and it serves as the only exit route from Bangui to Ombella M’Poko, Lobaye, and other southwestern prefectures. This road leads to Congo-Brazzaville and serves as an entry point for goods from Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville. The current state of the bridge is a concern for the population; although the structure remains solid, its deck is defective and does not allow for two-way traffic. Recently, the population of Bimbo has been increasingly vocal about the deteriorating state of the bridge. Additional information can be found here.
What You Need to Know About the Origin of These Photos
A quick reverse image search leads us to the origin of these photos. They are actually from the construction of a bridge over the Logone River and its connecting roads between Yagoua (Cameroon) and Bongor (Chad). Here
Another search directed us to an article published on the Actu Cameroun news site: the construction of the bridge between Yagoua and Bongor was launched in 2020 at a cost of 37 billion CFA francs. The project is being carried out with the support of the African Development Bank and the European Union. This bridge aims to facilitate exchanges between the two countries.
Similarly, Journal du Tchad.com also published on November 29, 2023, a headline titled “Chad-Cameroon: Start of the asphalt laying on the Logone River bridge.” On November 28, 2023, the work to lay the wearing course on the bridge over the Logone River, connecting Bongor in Chad and Yagoua in Cameroon, began. Here is the link here.
Conclusion
The PK9 bridge, constructed in 1945 by German cooperation, was supposed to be rehabilitated by the Turkish Cooperation Agency during the transition in the Central African Republic in 2015. Since then, the project has remained on hold despite the deteriorating condition of the bridge. However, the December 10, 2023, post claiming the rehabilitation of the PK9 bridge, which leads to the southwest exit of the Central African Republic (Bimbo), is out of context after verification.
This article was edited by Michael Ndamoyen.
