Gambia protesters burn tyres to denounce power cuts
In and around the capital Banjul, protesters burned tyres in the street.
Protesters in Gambia set tires ablaze and erected barricades in the capital Banjul and other locations overnight, demanding an end to frequent power cuts that have lasted up to 48 hours, according to witnesses and residents. President Adama Barrow's residence and Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow's office were targeted by angry demonstrators in a display of increasing frustration with the government.
Police responded with tear gas, forcing the protesters to disperse. Gambia's information minister, Ismaila Ceesay, acknowledged the hardship faced by citizens and apologized for the inconvenience caused by the electricity crisis. Barrow visited electricity facilities and assured the public that new generators would arrive this week.
The National Water and Electricity Company Ltd. attributed the power shortage to a surge in demand due to high temperatures and a technical issue with one of its power-generating units. The government pledged to deliver reliable electricity by the end of October.
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
