Gambia President urges calm, vows power boost after violent blackout protests
By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has urged citizens to remain calm as violent protests erupt across the country over prolonged blackouts that have left hundreds of homes without electricity for two days.
Addressing the nation in a televised broadcast, Barrow noted that the country is not alone in facing an electricity crisis that has affected several parts of West Africa.
Energy Crisis and Public Frustration
Civil unrest has intensified as Gambians take to the streets to protest crippling power outages in the capital and surrounding regions. Demonstrators in Banjul and Farato burned tyres, blocked roads, and marched toward the National Water and Electricity Company headquarters as well as the vice-president’s residence. Chants demanding leadership change echoed through the night while police deployed tear gas to disperse crowds near the Westfield area. Ruling party banners suffered damage during the confrontations, signaling deep public anger over infrastructure failures that have severely disrupted daily life during the intense hot season.
Presidential Response and Appeals for Calm
Responding directly to the mounting turmoil, Barrow acknowledged the widespread hardship and admitted planning and maintenance shortcomings. Declaring the outages a national security emergency, he warned against retaliatory destruction. “Let us not destroy in a moment of anger what we suffered so long to gain,” Barrow stated while urging citizens to protect public infrastructure. Acknowledging the heavy toll of the crisis, the president noted, “I know that the fans have stopped turning, children work in the dark, mothers throw away stale food, and the heat is unbearable by day and by night.” He also offered words of comfort to troubled citizens, emphasizing, “When you lie down in the heat and the dark, believe that you are not alone in that darkness.”
Infrastructure Plans and Regional Pressures
To address the generation deficit, government officials detailed plans to stabilize the grid by introducing new capacity before the end of October. A twenty-four-megawatt unit is currently undergoing installation at the Brikama power station, supplemented by a contract awarded for a fifty-megawatt solar plant in Soma. National Water and Electricity Company chief Gallo Saidy explained that regional supply constraints compound the domestic shortfall. Reduced electricity imports from neighboring Senegal and Guinea, driven by lower seasonal rainfall and technical faults on import lines, have severely choked local distribution. Also, information minister Ismaila Ceesay offered a formal government apology, noting that leaders are working relentlessly to restore stability.
Political Stakes Ahead of December Elections
The electricity crisis arrives at a critical political juncture as The Gambia prepares for a presidential election in December. Barrow is seeking a controversial third term, making the handling of basic public services a central test for voters. Residents like Ousainu Jammeh have voiced acute frustration over the continuous lack of power and the heavy-handed security response. With utility providers warning of a demand surge driven by soaring temperatures, the administration faces immense pressure to deliver promised infrastructure upgrades before public discontent permanently damages the incumbent government’s electoral prospects.
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