Eyewitness: Ivory Coast's ghost town

By Lara Pawson
BBC correspondent, Abidjan

The government said the protest was an 'attempted armed revolt'

Abidjan's northern suburb, Abobo, appears to be in shock, the day after a planned march exploded into violence, leaving 25 people confirmed dead.

A long convoy of tanks, armoured trucks and army jeeps passed through Abobo on Friday morning, apparently surveying the situation.

There are military check points throughout the entire neighbourhood. At every one, soldiers whistle and point in a signal to pull over.

Identity cards are produced at gun point and the soldiers then search the car.

'Revenge'

On the main road that runs from Abobo into the central business district, Plateau, there is a particularly daunting blockade.

A line of armed men, wearing red berets, are slumped in canvas chairs by the road, enjoying the shade provided by a large truck.

The authorities were determined to prevent more protests

A few metres away, their juniors can enjoy exacting what appears to be revenge on young, male civilians.

On Friday morning, the howls of one man being whipped with long strips of leather cut through the silence of this shattered city.

Soldiers laughed as they made him run in circles, doubled up in pain from the leather which cut across his back.

Close by, another male civilian was pushed and shoved by soldiers before being subjected to the same treatment. He wept in pain.

Gunshots

In the heart of Abobo, the remains of burned tyres, cars and wood give a sense of what the scene must have been like on Thursday.

Women and men stand about talking. A few are selling fruit, newspapers and bread.

In pictures: Day in protests Q&A: Ivorian crisis

But most just stand and stare, gazing inquisitively at the very occasional passing vehicles. People seem to be quite dazed.

Most of the time, there is an intimidating silence. This neighbourhood - normally alive with music, shouting, bargaining and packed with people - is like a ghost-town.

The only noise is the sound of military vehicles: tanks and helicopters.

Every now and then, gunshots ring out but most of the time, it is strangely silent.