Fresh protests have erupted in several parts of The Gambia as residents continue to endure prolonged electricity outages that have affected homes, businesses and livelihoods for months.
Hundreds of people took to the streets in communities including Sukuta, Manduar, Kerr Serign and Jambur, with protesters reportedly blocking roads and setting fires at major junctions.
The demonstrations mark the second night of protests this week and represent a sharp escalation of public anger over power shortages that have persisted since June.
In Bakau, Tanji and Tujereng, police reportedly used tear gas to disperse protesters. Ousainou Jallow, a resident of Bakau, said the situation became particularly difficult after the community also went without water for about 24 hours.
“It was a very hard night because the protesters were forced to disperse when the paramilitary police started using tear gas,” Jallow said.
The electricity crisis has become particularly difficult during the hot season, with some areas experiencing blackouts lasting up to 48 hours. Residents say the outages have resulted in spoiled food, disrupted businesses and sleepless nights.
The impact has been especially severe in the fishing communities of Tanji and Tujereng, where residents say the lack of electricity and ice is causing fish to spoil and putting their livelihoods at risk.
The protests began earlier in the week, with thousands of people taking to the streets on Monday night and chanting against President Adama Barrow, who is seeking another term in the December election.
The government has promised that the situation will improve. Barrow said on Tuesday that additional power would be available by next month, adding that the installation of a new 24 megawatt generation machine at the Brikama power plant was in its final stage.
He also announced plans for a 50 megawatt solar power plant in Soma as part of efforts to increase electricity generation.
The National Water and Electricity Company, which supplies power in the country, attributed the outages in August to increased demand caused largely by high temperatures, as well as constraints on electricity imports.
Its managing director also cited climate change and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as factors contributing to the difficulties facing the power sector.
With the December election approaching, the continuing outages and growing public frustration have placed additional pressure on the government to find a lasting solution to the country’s electricity problems.
