Gambian President Barrow Addresses Blackout Protests, Urges Calm After Public Unrest

President Adama Barrow has appealed for calm across The Gambia following recent protests triggered by ongoing, severe electricity blackouts. Demonstrations erupted in multiple locations, including Bundung, Serrekunda, and Brikama, with participants reportedly burning tyres and blocking roads.

The national utility company, NAWEC, has been widely criticised for its inability to maintain consistent power supply since June. Residents have reported outages extending up to 48 hours, exacerbating public frustration.

Addressing the nation, President Barrow acknowledged the "darkness" but warned against violence, stating: "When you react violently, that is not the answer." He added, "I can tell you that you are not alone in the darkness."

The Gambian government previously announced a $40 million investment into NAWEC's infrastructure, aimed at upgrading the country's power grid. However, these improvements have yet to alleviate the frequent and prolonged power cuts.