Gambians gather under the sun in Serrekunda, Gambia, on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. -
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Adama Barrow
The president of Gambia, Adama Barrow, urged for tranquility on Tuesday following protests regarding the country's ongoing power failures.
Residents in Banjul and nearby areas blocked roads and set tyres alight overnight on Monday, demanding Barrow's resignation.
The outages began in June and have grown more prolonged and frequent as rising temperatures increase demand. Officials have attributed the issues to climate change and disruptions in supply chains stemming from the conflict in Iran.
"Our business is suffering because of the electricity shortages," states fish vendor Nyima Sonko.
"All our fish is going to waste, and this is our sole means of income. Our enterprise has collapsed."
Market trader Jula Jagne shares:
"We are exhausted by this situation. There are days when we endure a full day without power. Occasionally, we have electricity during the day, other times at night. The outages can last for six or seven hours straight. We lack ice to preserve our chicken meat, which can cost as much as three hundred dalasis. We, the women of The Gambia, are weary.”
Barrow, who is campaigning for re-election in December, described the blackouts as "a national security concern" and "an emergency.”
He has vowed to enhance supply by next month and has urged the public to remain patient.
