Gambian Police Fire Tear Gas at Protesters Over Power Cuts

Police in Gambia used tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered overnight in several locations, including near the official residence of President Adama Barrow, to protest prolonged power cuts, according to residents and witnesses.

In and around the capital Banjul, demonstrators burned tyres and erected barricades, with smoke filling the air as crowds chanted "Barrow must go!". Some residents reported blackouts lasting up to 48 hours.

The unrest comes ahead of a presidential election expected in December, in which Barrow is seeking a third term. In the town of Farato, protesters gathered outside the residence of Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow and destroyed banners at an office of the ruling National People's Party.

The national utility, National Water and Electricity Company Ltd (NAWEC), had warned on August 15 of "an unforeseen surge in electricity demand during the peak period" attributed to high temperatures. It also reported "a technical incident affecting one of the major power-generating units on the import side", which would require load shedding across several parts of the country.

Ousainu Jammeh, a resident of Banjul's Westfield area, said tear gas "landed in my house", prompting him to join the protesters. After the demonstrations subsided in the pre-dawn hours, young men helped douse fires and clear barricades. Traffic had returned to normal by Tuesday morning.

Barrow was scheduled to visit NAWEC facilities on Tuesday morning and address the nation at 8 p.m. local time. A police spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.