Gambian leader pledges halt to rolling blackouts as protests turn violent

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Published: 2026-09-09T07:25:21.099Z • Permanent link

Gambian President Adama Barrow has pledged to halt rolling blackouts nationwide, following violent protests against the power outage that has plagued the country for weeks. The move comes as the West African nation grapples with a severe energy crisis, which has already disrupted economic activity and impacted the lives of millions of citizens. The power outages, which began in March, have been attributed to a combination of factors, including a lack of investment in the national grid, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of electricity-generating capacity.

Protests against the power outages have been escalating in recent days, with demonstrators taking to the streets in major cities like Banjul and Kanifing. The violence, which has resulted in several reported deaths and injuries, has been largely peaceful, but has highlighted the deep frustration and desperation felt by many Gambians. The government has been criticized for its handling of the crisis, with opposition leaders accusing President Barrow of failing to address the root causes of the problem.

The Gambian government has promised to take immediate action to address the energy crisis, including the deployment of a team of experts to assess the national grid and identify areas for improvement. The team, which includes officials from the International Energy Agency and the African Development Bank, will work to identify solutions to the crisis and develop a plan to restore power to affected areas.

The decision by President Barrow to halt rolling blackouts marks a significant shift in the government's approach to addressing the energy crisis. The move is likely to have a positive impact on the country's economy, which has been heavily impacted by the power outages. According to a report by the International Monetary Fund, the energy crisis has already resulted in a decline in economic activity, with GDP growth expected to fall by 1.5% in 2023.

The halt on rolling blackouts is also likely to have a positive impact on the lives of millions of Gambians who have been affected by the power outages. The energy crisis has already resulted in significant disruptions to daily life, with many businesses and homes forced to rely on generators. The halt on rolling blackouts is expected to restore power to affected areas, allowing people to access basic necessities like water, healthcare, and education.

The energy crisis in The Gambia is part of a larger pattern of energy shortages in West Africa. The region has been grappling with a severe energy crisis for several years, with many countries struggling to meet their energy needs. The crisis has been attributed to a combination of factors, including a lack of investment in the national grid, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of electricity-generating capacity.