Keypoints:
- Police fire tear gas at protesters
- Blackouts reported for up to 48 hours
- Crisis erupts before December presidential vote
GAMBIA’S worsening electricity crisis spilled into open political anger overnight as police fired tear gas at protesters who burned tyres, erected barricades and chanted ‘Barrow must go!’ in Banjul and other areas, including near President Adama Barrow’s official residence.
The unrest has turned a prolonged public-service failure into an immediate political test for Barrow as he seeks a third term in the presidential election scheduled for December 5. Reuters reported that some residents have endured electricity outages lasting up to 48 hours.
Power cuts spill into street anger
Protests erupted at several locations in and around Banjul, with demonstrators blocking roads while smoke from burning tyres spread across parts of the capital.
A Reuters witness said police used tear gas to disperse crowds during the overnight confrontations. In Farato, protesters gathered outside the residence of Vice-President Mohammed B.S. Jallow and damaged banners at an office of Barrow’s ruling National People’s Party.
The scenes marked a sharp escalation in frustration over electricity shortages, turning a service-delivery grievance into a visible challenge to the government.
By Tuesday morning, traffic had returned to normal in Banjul. Some young men who had taken part in the demonstrations helped put out fires and clear barricades before daybreak.
Blackouts deepen pressure on households
The National Water and Electricity Company, NAWEC, said on August 15 that unusually high temperatures had caused an ‘unforeseen surge in electricity demand during the peak period’.
The utility also reported a technical problem affecting one of its major generating units on the import side and warned that load shedding would affect several parts of the country. It did not give a timetable for full supplies to resume.
Residents say the outages have become increasingly difficult to absorb. Ousainu Jammeh, a resident of the Westfield area, told Reuters there was ‘no light everywhere’ and said he joined protesters after tear gas entered his home.
Election raises political stakes
The timing makes the crisis particularly sensitive for Barrow. Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission has fixed the presidential election for December 5, with nominations scheduled from October 26 to November 6.
The vote comes as youth participation and confidence in democratic institutions emerge as prominent themes ahead of the election. Africa Briefing recently reported on a nationwide campaign to increase youth participation in Gambia’s 2026 election.
Barrow’s bid for another term also revives debate over presidential term limits. After his 2021 re-election, Africa Briefing reported that Barrow promised a new constitution containing presidential term limits, without clarifying whether the restrictions would apply retrospectively.
Political tensions also followed the 2021 presidential election. Supporters of losing candidate Ousainou Darboe protested Barrow’s re-election, with police using tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Serekunda.
Barrow faces pressure to respond
Barrow was scheduled to visit NAWEC facilities on Tuesday and address the nation at 8 p.m. local time, according to Reuters.
His response will be closely watched for signs that the government can ease public frustration over electricity shortages as campaigning intensifies ahead of the December vote.
For now, the overnight demonstrations have exposed how quickly a basic-service crisis can acquire a political edge. Whether the anger fades with improved power supply or becomes a broader campaign issue may depend on how quickly the government can restore reliable electricity and rebuild public confidence.
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