• President Barrow pledges significant power supply restoration by October.
• Protests in major cities call for Barrow's resignation amid energy crisis.
• The electricity shortage has been exacerbated by high temperatures and climate change.

Gambian President Adama Barrow has committed to enhancing the country's energy supply by installing a new 24-megawatt power generation unit, which is expected to be operational by the end of October. This announcement comes in response to violent protests over ongoing rolling blackouts that have reportedly lasted up to 48 hours, particularly during the hot season. The protests escalated recently, with demonstrators in Banjul and surrounding areas clashing with police, leading to the use of tear gas to disperse crowds, according to aljazeera and bbc.

Barrow characterized the outages as a "national security issue" and an "emergency," pleading for public patience while promising that improvements will soon follow. He noted that the power shortages have crippled businesses, with residents reporting significant losses due to spoiled food and disrupted daily activities. "I know that the fans have stopped turning, children work in the dark, mothers throw away stale food," Barrow stated during a visit to the National Water and Electricity Corporation (NAWEC) power station, according to africanews and africanews.

Electricity shortages in The Gambia, attributed to climate change and global supply chain disruptions, have led to increased hardship for businesses and households. NAWEC's officials have indicated that the rising temperatures have caused an "unforeseen surge" in electricity demand. Additionally, the recent unrest coincides with Barrow's campaign for a controversial third term in the upcoming December elections, which has amplified calls for his resignation during the protests, as noted by bbc and africanews.

Barrow has also mentioned plans for a 50-megawatt solar power plant, aiming to diversify the energy sources and mitigate the reliance on electricity imports. Gallo Saidy, the managing director of NAWEC, emphasized the need for patience from citizens as they navigate these difficulties, highlighting that other West African nations are facing similar crises due to climatic factors and regional tensions, according to aljazeera and africanews.