Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Growing frustration over persistent electricity blackouts has spilled onto the streets, with spontaneous protests breaking out in Banjul and several parts of the Greater Banjul Area as residents demand urgent action from the government and the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).
The protests began in Banjul, where residents led by National Assembly Member for Banjul North, Modou Lamin B. Bah, took to the streets in what they described as a “candlelight night for the President,” expressing anger over prolonged power outages.
The protesters initially moved towards the State House to press their demands for an immediate solution to the electricity crisis. However, they were intercepted by government officials and security personnel who engaged the marchers and eventually persuaded them not to proceed to the State House.
Electricity Restored After Protest Begins
Shortly after the march got underway, electricity was restored in parts of Banjul, prompting the protesters to disperse and return to their homes.
Videos and photographs of the demonstration quickly circulated on social media, attracting widespread national attention and appearing to trigger similar protests in other communities affected by the power crisis.
In the Greater Banjul Area, youths in Ebo Town and Churchill’s Town took to the streets, chanting slogans including “We need light now” and “Li Dafa Doyi” – meaning “enough is enough.”
Same improvised demonstrations took place in Bakoteh and Manjai, with protesters chanting “NAWEC, bring back our light“.
Large numbers of protesters were also seen moving towards Westfield as the demonstrations continued late into the night.
Protests Spread to Brikama, Busumbala and Wellingara
Similar scenes were reported in Brikama T Town and T Central, where youths organised improvised marches carrying candles and calling on NAWEC to restore electricity.
Youths in Busumbala also took up the streets with candles while chanting hostile slogans to NAWEC and the government.
In Wellingara, a group of women protesting over the outages reportedly attempted to enter the local NAWEC sub-branch. Workers quickly locked the facility’s gate, preventing the protesters from entering.
The protests come amid months of increasingly severe electricity shortages across the country.
NAWEC and the government have repeatedly acknowledged the difficulties facing the country’s power supply system and have offered explanations for the continuing outages. However, residents say the situation has become increasingly unbearable, with prolonged blackouts disrupting households, businesses, and other essential activities.
Growing Public Anger
The spontaneous demonstrations represent one of the clearest signs yet of growing public frustration over the electricity crisis.
For many residents, the issue has moved beyond inconvenience, with businesses losing operating hours and households struggling to cope with extended periods without power.
The rapid spread of the protests from Banjul to other communities also highlights the depth of public dissatisfaction and the potential for further demonstrations if the situation persists.
With anger now increasingly visible on the streets, pressure is mounting on the government and NAWEC to provide a lasting solution to the country’s worsening electricity crisis before the growing unrest escalates further.
Leave a Reply