Police chief Seedy Mukhtar Touray announced that no further protests will be allowed in Gambia without a permit, following the use of tear gas earlier this week to disperse crowds that had gathered to denounce extended power cuts during the hottest months.
Touray said, "From this very moment, nobody is allowed to protest without an approved permit. Nobody is allowed to converge, cause havoc, distort the peace and tranquility of the nation, especially during the night. Any violation to this will be met with necessary force."
The unrest saw a police post vandalised and detainees unlawfully released, while the National Water and Electricity Company Ltd (NAWEC) reported that three of its branches were closed after attacks damaged buildings and office equipment.
Authorities have arrested 11 people linked to the vandalism, Touray added. NAWEC said it was coping with an unforeseen surge in electricity demand during the peak period, attributing the strain to high temperatures.
President Adama Barrow visited NAWEC facilities on Tuesday, promising new generators this week and a full electricity restoration by the end of October. He also announced the finalisation of a 24‑megawatt generation machine and a contract for a 50‑MW solar power plant.
Kanifing Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, who plans to challenge Barrow in the December election, expressed understanding of the protesters’ frustrations, noting that the lack of generators forces people to take their grievances to the streets. He criticised the government’s reliance on energy imports and highlighted broader issues driving youth frustration and irregular migration to Europe.
With the new ban in place, Gambia’s authorities signal a hardening stance on public demonstrations amid the upcoming December elections. The situation will be closely monitored as the government seeks to balance public order with citizens’ right to express grievances.
