Police in Gambia fired tear gas to break up overnight demonstrations against prolonged power and water cuts, with protests spreading across Banjul and nearby towns.
Residents and a Reuters witness said crowds gathered late Monday in several parts of the capital, including near President Adama Barrow’s official residence. Protesters set tyres ablaze, built barricades, and chanted “Barrow must go!” as smoke filled the streets. Traffic in Banjul returned to normal by Tuesday morning after young men helped put out fires and clear debris.
The unrest also reached Farato, where demonstrators gathered outside Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow’s home and tore down banners at an office of the ruling National People’s Party. A police spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
The protests come as Gambia faces widespread blackouts, with some residents reporting outages lasting up to 48 hours. The timing is sensitive with a presidential election expected in December, where Barrow is seeking a third term.
The national utility, NAWEC, blamed the crisis on a spike in demand. In an August 15 statement it cited high temperatures causing “an unforeseen surge in electricity demand” and a technical fault with a major imported power unit. NAWEC warned of load shedding across the country but gave no timeline. It did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
Frustration was clear on the ground. “There is no light everywhere. People have been crying about electricity,” said Ousainu Jammeh from Banjul’s Westfield area. Jammeh said he joined the protest after tear gas entered his home.
President Barrow was scheduled to visit NAWEC facilities Tuesday morning and address the nation at 8 p.m. GMT.
