Gambia's president promises to end power cuts amid unrest
President Adama Barrow announced plans to install a 24-megawatt generator by October and a 50-megawatt solar plant to address the electricity crisis. Protests over prolonged outages have turned violent, with police using tear gas. Barrow called the outages a national security issue.
Demonstrators blocked roads and set fires in Banjul and nearby towns, prompting police to use tear gas near the president's residence and the national utility's headquarters. Barrow declared the crisis a national emergency during a visit to a power station, acknowledging the severe impact on daily life, including spoiled food and unbearable heat.
The utility's managing director attributed the shortages to climate change, the US-Israel conflict with Iran, and an unexpected demand surge caused by high temperatures. With a presidential election scheduled for December, the government's pledge to add a 24-megawatt generator by October and a 50-megawatt solar facility comes as Barrow seeks a third term.
The prolonged outages could further strain public trust in the government ahead of the December vote, as the crisis directly affects households, businesses, and essential services. If the promised infrastructure fails to materialize on schedule, protests may intensify, potentially destabilizing the political climate. Conversely, successful implementation of the new power sources could restore some confidence in Barrow's administration, though the underlying causes—climate and geopolitical factors—may continue to pose challenges.