Gambia protests intensify over power cuts as Barrow pledges upgrades

Thousands of Gambians protested for a second night Wednesday into Thursday over relentless power cuts that have left residents without electricity for up to 48 hours since June. Demonstrators gathered in Sukuta near Banjul, Manduar, Bakau, Tanji, Tujereng, Kerr Serign and Jambur, lighting fires at major junctions before police fired tear gas to disperse crowds. The outages have spoiled food, forced shops to close and disrupted sleep, with one protester saying his area lacked water for 24 hours.

President Adama Barrow responded by promising to boost supplies next month, citing a 24‑megawatt generator being installed at Brikama and a planned 50‑megawatt solar plant in Soma. The National Water and Electricity Company blames the blackouts on surging demand from high temperatures, limited electricity imports, climate change and the Middle East war.

The protests come months before Barrow seeks a third term in the December presidential election, turning the electricity crisis into a political flashpoint. For those reliant on steady power—traders, fishers needing ice, households—continual blackouts threaten income and daily life. Will the government’s promised upgrades arrive in time to ease the strain, or should residents and businesses prepare for further disruption?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/09/10/fresh-protests-erupt-in-gambia-in-anger-at-power-cuts/