Located at kilometer marker 108 on the Northern Highway, the village of Bôdô (N'douci commune) is trying to heal its wounds. On Monday, May 11, 2026, life was tentatively returning to normal, oscillating between relief and mistrust after the violent clashes of the weekend.

A market that is waking up, hearts still heavy

In the heart of the town, signs of recovery are visible: the hum of tricycles and motorcycles has returned in full force, and the central market is bustling once more. For many residents, like Mrs. N'degbeu Adjoua Odile, simply stepping outside is already a victory.

"We spent all of Saturday night into Sunday locked down. Being able to go out today to feed my family is a relief."

However, the trauma remains palpable. Élisée Adou, who came to shop for his family who remained safe, admits to still being haunted by the explosions and tear gas. Among the shopkeepers, the situation is dire. While Ms. Irié Florence is happy to reopen her stall, she laments the massive losses of food products suffered during the blockade.

Education: Desperately empty classrooms

The school system is struggling to get back on track. While teachers at the Bôdô School Group II were present on Monday, the students were conspicuously absent. Classrooms were closed at midday due to a lack of students.

The stakes are high: revisions for entry into sixth grade must begin as early as Tuesday, in preparation for the national exam on May 18 .

Increased security and a climate of mistrust

The current lull is the result of mediation led by the mayor of N'douci, Marcellin Golé , following clashes between civilians and law enforcement on Saturday evening. Despite this dialogue:

1. Surveillance remains strict: Law enforcement officers are stationed at the highway interchange.
2. Mistrust persists: In the streets, groups of young people observe strangers with hostility, fearing the presence of plainclothes officers.
3. The curtain remains down: Many shops have not yet reopened, their owners fearing further unrest or not having yet returned to the village.

Material and human toll

The weekend's events have left indelible marks: around fifty young people were arrested and significant material damage has been reported, notably affecting the personal property of the village chief.

Although calm seems to have returned to the surface, Bôdô remains for the moment a village under observation, suspended between the desire for normality and the memory of the violence.