'You're not alone in the darkness': Gambia president urges calm after violent blackout protests

What the report says

The Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has appealed for calm after protests over prolonged electricity cuts turned violent in the capital, Banjul, and nearby areas. According to BBC Africa, residents have endured persistent blackouts since June, with some outages lasting up to 48 hours, and frustration intensified during the hot season as demand for power rose.

The unrest broke out on Monday night, when demonstrators burned tyres and blocked roads. Police dispersed crowds with tear gas as some people moved toward the headquarters of the national power utility, Nawec, while others gathered near the vice-president’s residence and at offices linked to Barrow’s ruling party. The BBC reported that some protesters chanted against the president, with the unrest coming months before a December election in which Barrow is seeking a third term.

In a televised address, Barrow acknowledged failings in planning, generation and maintenance, and described the outages as an emergency and a security concern. He said steps were under way to improve supply, including a new generating unit at Brikama and a solar project in Soma, while promising better power by the end of October and more generators this week. Nawec chief Gallo Saidy also urged patience, saying reduced imports from the regional grid and lower rainfall had contributed to the shortfall. The situation highlights broader electricity strains affecting parts of West Africa.