Travel Guide Boké

Boké holds an important place in the colonial history of the country. Located on the banks of the Rio Nunez, it was the site of early European trading posts, before becoming the seat of Franco-Portuguese rivalry. In 1865, General Faidherbe, who came from Senegal, settled there; he used the city as a landing point for the French fleet to invade the country at the end of the 19th century. Today, only the fort overlooking the river bears witness to this past. It can be visited, as can the surrounding area, which is rich in fishing villages and deserted beaches, bordered by mangroves (do not hesitate to visit the villages and ask to see the chief to organize your stay). In 2022, Boké is more than ever the crossroads of the bauxite routes. The problems related to the exploitation of this mineral in the region are at the heart of its agitated current events. Riots broke out at the end of 2021, claiming several victims. In the city center, power cuts are recurrent, the water coming out of the taps is red, as are all the social and environmental indicators. The jobs created by the ever-increasing number of mining companies hardly compensate for the negative consequences of this forced exploitation. The challenges to be met remain immense.