Gambia bans unauthorised protests after unrest caused by power cuts

The police chief in Gambia has announced that no more protests are allowed without permits in the West African country. This follows the use of tear gas by authorities earlier this week to disperse large crowds who had gathered to denounce the prolonged power outages during the hottest months.

The protests that lasted for multiple nights showed the frustration of President Adama Bin Barrow in advance of the elections scheduled for December.

In a late-night statement, Seedy?Mukhtar touray, Gambia’s Inspector General of Police, stated that "nobody is allowed to demonstrate without a permit approved."

No one is to congregate, create?havoc or disturb the peace and tranquility in the country, especially at night. "Any violation of this will be met by 'necessary forces.

Touray reported that during the unrest this week, "detainees had been unlawfully released" from custody. The National Water and Electricity Company Ltd. (NAWEC), the nation's?utility company, said it closed three branches following attacks which severely damaged buildings, infrastructure and office equipment.

Touray reported that authorities have arrested 11 people for vandalism committed during the unrest.

"YOUTHS ARE FRUSTRATED", SAYS OPPOSITION CANdidATE

Talib Ahmed Binsouda said in an interview that he could understand why the protesters were upset.

If you are unable to sit inside your home due to the heat, then it is time for you to leave. Bensouda said that if you do not have a generator to run a basic business, or to even carry out informal activities... then you are forced to go to the streets. She plans to take on Barrow at the December elections. "That's something we don't support, but understand the issue."

In a 15 August statement, NAWEC said that the high temperatures were to blame for "an unexpected surge in electricity demand during peak periods."

Barrow, who visited NAWEC on Tuesday morning, promised to deliver new generators in the Gambia this week and restore power by October's end.

He stated that the government is in 'the final stages of installing an extra 24-megawatt generator machine' and has awarded a contract to build a 50 MW solar power plant.

Bensouda, however, criticized Barrow's reliance on energy imports. This left Gambia vulnerable to global supply disruptions.

Bensouda stated that "youths are very frustrated and not only about energy. They're also frustrated by a number of other things." "There is a lack in opportunity, and this is driving irregular migration into Europe."

(source: Reuters)