Gambia president urges calm after violent protests over prolonged blackouts

Protesters took to the streets in Banjul and surrounding areas on Monday night, burning tyres and blocking roads over power cuts that residents say have sometimes lasted up to 48 hours. Police used tear gas in the Westfield area as demonstrators moved towards the headquarters of the national electricity company, Nawec, with some chanting "Barrow must go". Crowds also gathered outside the vice-president's residence in Farato, where banners at an office of Barrow's ruling National People's Party were damaged.

The Gambia has endured persistent blackouts since June, with outages becoming longer and more frequent during the current hot season as soaring temperatures drive up electricity demand. The country supplements its own generation with imported electricity, including supplies from Guinea and neighbouring Senegal.

In his televised address, Barrow said residents were not alone in facing the crisis, which has affected several parts of West Africa. "When you lie down in the heat and the dark, believe that you are not alone in that darkness," he said. He warned protesters against damaging public infrastructure, saying it would worsen the disruption and divert money towards repairs.

The unrest comes just months before a presidential election expected in December, in which Barrow is seeking a controversial third term.

Why This Matters

The protests come just months before a presidential election in December, making the electricity crisis a potential flashpoint in Gambian politics.
Prolonged blackouts during extreme heat affect daily life, health and economic activity, and the government's response will shape public confidence.
The crisis is not isolated: other parts of West Africa are also struggling with electricity shortfalls, pointing to a broader regional challenge.

Background

Gambia, a small West African nation, relies heavily on imported electricity from Guinea and Senegal to supplement its own generation. Since June, residents have faced increasingly long and frequent outages, worsened by high seasonal demand. President Adama Barrow, in power for two terms, is seeking a contentious third term in an election expected in December, adding political tension to the public anger over blackouts.

Key Perspectives

Protesters: Residents face prolonged darkness and heat with no reliable power supply, and their frustration has spilled onto the streets in Banjul and surrounding areas, with some calling for the president to go. The government: Barrow acknowledges the hardship but urges patience, promising improved supplies by next month and warning that destroying infrastructure will only deepen the disruption. Critics and political opponents: The president's third-term bid is already controversial, and the timing of his assurances — weeks before an election — may be viewed sceptically as a response to political pressure rather than a genuine solution.

What to Watch

Whether electricity supplies actually improve by next month, as the president has promised.
The scale and frequency of further protests, and whether they spread beyond Banjul and Farato.
How the crisis influences the December election campaign, including opposition efforts to turn blackouts into a central issue.

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