The Gambia President Calls for Calm Amid Prolonged Blackouts

Wed Sep 09 2026 10:31:06 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Energy shortages spark protests as the Gambia’s president addresses the crisis and vows quicker power delivery.

In Banjul, long‑standing power cuts have fanned the flames of public anger, with protesters setting tyres on fire and blocking roads. President Adama Barrow urged citizens to remain calm, pledging new generators and a solar plant. He acknowledged shortcomings in the national grid and promised to improve supply by July, amid looming December elections.

The Gambia President Calls for Calm Amid Prolonged Blackouts

Police officers patrol a street as burning tyres and debris send flames and thick smoke into the air during protests over prolonged power cuts

Police used tear gas to disperse crowds after protesters blocked roads near Nawec headquarters.

The Gambia’s president Adama Barrow has called on his people to keep calm as the country battles a crippling electricity crisis, echoing similar problems across West Africa.

The call follows a night of violent protests in Banjul, where residents staged uprisings after blackouts sometimes lasting up to 48 hours, a picture of heat, hardship and fire.

Barrow admitted the grid’s weakness, said it was a national security issue, and promised new power units would be available by the end of July. He added that a 24‑megawatt unit is already installed at Brikama and a 50‑MW solar farm is under contract in Soma.

He warned that any damage to public infrastructure would worsen disruptions and redirect limited funds into repairs. At the same time, the president appealed for patience, saying that reduced imports from the regional grid and lower rainfall had contributed to the outages.

The unrest comes just months before the December presidential election, in which Barrow is seeking a third term. He emphasised that the country will receive additional generators this week after visiting Nawec facilities.

While the president’s hopes for faster electricity delivery remain, citizens continue to fight for a brighter future amid the darkness of a power‑cut‑prone summer. The story continues to unfold as Planners work on solutions that may stabilize The Gambia’s lights supply for the coming years.