Gambia Requires Permits After Power-Cut Unrest

Gambia’s police chief has said protests will require approved permits after several nights of demonstrations over prolonged electricity blackouts, during which police used tear gas to disperse crowds. The unrest included burning tires, road blockades, attacks on a police post and National Water and Electricity Company facilities, and the release of detainees; authorities say 11 people have been arrested. The outages, worsened by extreme heat, reduced regional electricity imports and rising demand, have fueled anger at current President Adama Barrow ahead of the December election, in which he is seeking another term. Barrow has declared the power crisis a national emergency and promised a new generating unit by October as well as a 50-megawatt solar plant, but opposition figures say the measures have not eased broader frustration over governance, economic opportunity and reliance on imported power.