KEY POINTS
- Gambians protest blackouts lasting up to 48 hours.
- Power shortages are hurting homes, businesses and fishing communities.
- Barrow promises new generation capacity, including solar power.
Residents gathered in several communities over electricity issues, including Sukuta, Manduar, Kerr Serign and Jambur, according to AFP.
In some areas, youths reportedly blocked roads and set fires at major junctions as frustration over the power crisis intensified. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters in Bakau, Tanji and Tujereng.
The demonstrations followed another protest on Monday, when residents took to the streets and chanted against President Adama Barrow, who is seeking a third term in the December presidential election.
The electricity shortages have created serious problems for households and businesses, particularly during the country’s hot season.
Residents said prolonged outages had caused food to spoil, disrupted sleep and forced some businesses to shut temporarily.
Ousainou Jallow, a resident of Bakau, told AFP that his community had also experienced a 24-hour water shortage before the latest protests.
He said residents were forced to disperse after paramilitary police arrived and fired tear gas.
The power crisis has also hit fishing communities, where electricity is essential for producing ice used to preserve freshly caught fish.
Residents of Tanji and Tujereng said the electricity shortages had prevented them from producing enough ice, threatening the income of fishing households and disrupting the wider local fishing economy.
Government promises more power
The Gambian government has promised to increase electricity generation and improve the reliability of supply.
President Barrow said on Tuesday that a new 24-megawatt generating machine at the Brikama power plant was in the final stage of installation. He said the equipment was expected to help improve electricity supply from next month.
The president also announced plans to develop a 50-megawatt solar power plant in Soma as part of efforts to expand the country’s electricity-generating capacity.
The government is facing growing pressure to deliver improvements as public frustration over the outages increases.
The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) said in August that rising electricity demand, driven largely by high temperatures, had contributed to the blackouts.
The company also cited constraints on electricity imports as another factor behind the worsening supply situation.
NAWEC’s managing director further linked the challenges to climate change and the impact of the war in the Middle East.
The latest protests have increased pressure on the Barrow administration to find a lasting solution to the electricity crisis, particularly with the December election only months away.
