Three African Sites Secure Spot on UNESCO World Heritage List

(MENAFN) During the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, France on Sunday, three African sites secured a place on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.

One of the additions was Malawi’s Mulanje Mountain, a site deeply respected by locals who consider it a sacred home of deities and spirits. Known for its rare plant species and extensive network of hiking trails, the mountain was officially recognized for its natural and cultural significance.

Another site to gain recognition was the Diy-Gid-Biy cultural landscape located in northern Cameroon’s Mandara Mountains. Dating back to between the 12th and 17th centuries, this area includes a mix of archaeological remains, religious landmarks, and traditional farming systems.

Guinea-Bissau also made its debut on the list with the inclusion of the Bijagos Archipelago, a cluster of 88 islands and islets covering approximately 12,950 square kilometers (5,000 square miles).

The archipelago is inhabited by the matriarchal Bijago people, whose societal structure emphasizes female leadership and animist traditions. Though only 30,000 residents occupy 20 of the islands, the region plays a crucial ecological role, providing sanctuary for more than 870,000 migratory birds.

At the same time, several African sites were taken off the List of World Heritage in Danger. These included the Rainforests of the Atsinanana in Madagascar, Egypt’s Abu Mena heritage site, and the ancient city of Ghadames in Libya.

Despite its vast geographic and cultural diversity, Africa currently accounts for just 9% of the world’s designated heritage sites. Alarmingly, nearly 25% of those listed as endangered are located on the continent.

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