AGP Executive Report

Electricity Crisis: Prolonged blackouts are hitting The Gambia hard, with fresh protests in and around Banjul, tear-gassing by police, and mounting damage to daily life—shops close, hospitals rely on shaky generators, water supply is disrupted, and fish traders in Tanji face rotting catches because ice boxes sit empty. Public Order Crackdown: After the unrest, the Inspector General of Police warned that all protests and public processions without permits will be met with force, especially at night. Saltwater Threat to Farming: In western Gambia, farmers along the Bintang Bolong estuary are losing rice fields as seawater intrusion and uncertain rainfall overwhelm traditional earthen dike defenses. Competition & Consumer Protection: The National Assembly advanced a new Competition and Consumer Protection Bill to curb unfair business practices and strengthen consumer rights, including digital protections and product recalls. Investment Incentives: A GIEPA amendment bill would raise the foreign investment incentive threshold to US$500,000 for qualifying new enterprises. Marine & Food Safety Angle: Nigeria’s illegal fishing crackdown underscores how weak fisheries enforcement can drain stocks across the region, while pesticide poisoning data flags serious farm-worker health risks in West Africa, including The Gambia.

Electricity & Protests: Fresh demonstrations over prolonged power cuts hit Banjul and nearby towns again, with police tear-gassing crowds and residents reporting days of outages that spoil food and shut businesses. Public Order Crackdown: The Inspector General of Police warned that all protests and processions without permits will be met with force, citing the Public Order Act after unrest linked to blackout frustration. Tourism & Energy Costs: A push is growing to treat unreliable power as a tourism competitiveness problem, with calls for a financing framework to help hotels shift from generators to solar and storage. Saltwater Threat to Rice: In western Gambia, farmers around the Bintang Bolong estuary are retreating inland as rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion damage rice fields, even as earthen dike efforts struggle. Competition & Consumer Protection: Parliament advanced a Competition and Consumer Protection Bill to curb anti-competitive practices and strengthen consumer rights, while a GIEPA amendment raises foreign investment incentive thresholds to US$500,000. Wildlife/Health Risk: A regional study flags high rates of unintentional pesticide poisoning among farmers, with Gambia among the affected countries.

Electricity Crisis & Protests: Gambians took to the streets again over prolonged power cuts, with police tear-gassing crowds in Banjul-area towns; President Adama Barrow urged calm, saying destroying public infrastructure only raises repair costs and delays solutions. Police Crackdown on Dissent: The Inspector General of Police banned all public protests without permits after violent demonstrations tied to blackouts ahead of December elections. Energy Costs for Industry: MPs urged lower electricity and utility costs for Salaam Cement, saying unreliable, costly power is pushing up cement prices; the firm cited reliance on generators and commercial tariffs. Climate & Food Security: Farmers along the Bintang Bolong estuary are adapting as saltwater advances, with villagers building earthen dikes to protect rice fields. Health & Pollution Risk: A West Africa study flags high rates of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning, with The Gambia at 51.5%—a warning for farm safety and food systems. Wildlife & Invasives (Global): A Florida report highlights how invasive species spread and why quick identification matters. Rights & Culture: The Gambia’s creative sector welcomed ratification of the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, but stressed implementation and enforceable copyright rules.

Electricity Crisis & Protests: Gambians across Banjul, Kanifing and the West Coast Region have staged fresh demonstrations over rolling blackouts lasting up to 48 hours, with tyre burning, road blockages and police tear-gassing reported in areas like Bakau, Tanji and Tujereng; Government Response: President Adama Barrow urged calm, saying citizens can protest peacefully but must not destroy public infrastructure, and blamed the crisis on record demand, plant failures and weather impacts on hydro power, while also pledging a power boost by end of October; Police Crackdown on Dissent: Inspector General Seedy Mukhtar Touray announced a ban on public protests without permits, warning that violations will be met with force, following days of unrest; Energy Costs for Industry: MPs called for lower electricity and utility costs for Salaam Cement, arguing unreliable power and tariff treatment are pushing up cement prices; Climate & Farming Impacts: As saltwater advances along the Bintang Bolong estuary, Gambian rice farmers are rethinking how to protect fields, with earthen dike efforts struggling against rising seas and uncertain rainfall; Coastal Erosion Warning (West Africa): A Harvard-led study says parts of the Gulf of Guinea coast are eroding fast—up to 30 feet a year—and that hard sea barriers can protect one area while accelerating loss elsewhere.

Electricity & Protests: Gambians have taken to the streets again over prolonged blackouts, with police tear-gassing crowds and demonstrators burning tyres and blocking roads toward NAWEC/State House; President Adama Barrow urged calm, saying outages are a national security emergency and warning that destroying transformers and lines will only raise repair costs. Power Supply Plans: Barrow pledged a 24-megawatt generator by end of October and a 50-megawatt solar plant, while the IGP later banned protests without permits after unrest turned violent. Cost of Power for Industry: MPs called for lower electricity and utility costs for Salaam Cement, arguing unreliable, costly power is pushing up cement prices; the company says it relies on generators and pays commercial tariffs. Climate & Coastal Impacts: A report highlights West Africa’s fast coastal erosion (up to 30 feet a year) and warns that “hard” sea barriers can shift erosion to nearby communities. Farm Resilience to Saltwater: In western Gambia, rice farmers are retreating inland as seawater intrusion and uncertain rainfall overwhelm earthen dike defenses. Health & Pollution Link: A regional study on pesticide poisoning estimates 51.5% of Gambian farmers and farm workers face unintentional acute pesticide poisoning each year.

Electricity Crisis in Focus (Gambia): Gambians staged fresh, sometimes violent protests in Banjul and nearby towns over rolling blackouts lasting up to 48 hours, with police tear-gassing crowds and protesters burning tyres and blocking roads; President Adama Barrow urged calm, called the outages a “national security issue,” and pledged a 24-megawatt generator by end of October plus a 50-megawatt solar plant. Protest Crackdown: After the unrest, the police chief banned all public protests without official permits, warning violations would be met with force. Energy Costs for Industry: MPs urged lower power and utility costs for Salaam Cement, saying unreliable electricity is driving up cement prices. Saltwater Threat to Farming: In western Gambia, farmers along the Bintang Bolong estuary are losing rice fields as saltwater advances, forcing people inland and raising questions about whether dikes help or worsen the problem. Health & Environment (West Africa): A new study flags high rates of unintentional pesticide poisoning among farmers, with The Gambia at 51.5%.

Electricity Crisis in Focus: Gambians have kept protesting across Banjul and nearby towns over rolling blackouts that can last up to 48 hours, with police tear-gassing crowds and protesters burning tyres and blocking roads; President Adama Barrow urged calm, called the outages a “national security issue,” and pledged new supply—an extra 24-megawatt generator by end of October plus a 50-megawatt solar plant—after unrest tied to the December election. Policy Response: The police chief has banned public protests without permits, warning violators will face force, as authorities move to curb demonstrations. Cost of Power for Industry: MPs urged lower electricity and utility costs for Salaam Cement, saying unreliable, costly power is pushing up cement prices. Climate-Salt Threat to Farms: In western Gambia, saltwater intrusion is forcing rice farmers to retreat inland as seawater overwhelms traditional dike defenses. Health & Environment Link: A West Africa study flags pesticide poisoning risks, estimating 51.5% of Gambian farmers and farm workers face unintentional acute pesticide poisoning each year.

Electricity Crisis in Focus: Gambians across Banjul and nearby towns staged fresh protests over rolling blackouts lasting up to 48 hours, with police tear-gassing crowds and demonstrators burning tyres and blocking roads as frustration over NAWEC power failures spills into public anger. Government Response: President Adama Barrow urged calm, called the outages a “national security issue,” and promised new supply—an extra 24-megawatt generation machine by end of October and a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma—while warning that destroying transformers and lines will raise repair costs. Public Order Crackdown: After the unrest, the police chief banned all public protests without official permits, threatening force for violations, drawing criticism that it targets dissent ahead of December elections. Cost of Power for Industry: MPs urged lower electricity and utility costs for local cement producer Salaam Cement, saying unreliable, costly power and commercial tariffs are pushing up cement prices. Climate & Coastal Impacts: A report highlights how saltwater intrusion is forcing Gambian farmers to rethink how they protect rice fields, as rising seas overwhelm traditional dike defenses. Health & Environment: A regional study flags high unintentional pesticide poisoning among West African farmers, with The Gambia among the countries most affected.

Electricity Crisis in Focus: Gambians have taken to the streets again over prolonged power cuts, with blackouts lasting up to 48 hours in the hot season. Protests in Banjul and nearby towns turned violent at points, as police used tear gas and demonstrators burned tyres and blocked roads toward NAWEC and State House. Government Response: President Adama Barrow urged calm, saying the outages are a “national security issue,” and promised new supply—an extra 24-megawatt generation machine by end of October and a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma. Police Crackdown: After days of unrest, the police chief banned all public protests without official permits, warning violations would be met with force. Food and Farming Pressure: Separate reporting highlights how saltwater intrusion is pushing Gambian farmers to rethink how to protect rice fields, with seawater advancing into estuary farmlands. Health and Environment Link: A West Africa study flags high rates of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning among farmers, with The Gambia among the affected countries.

Electricity Crisis in Focus: Gambians are again taking to the streets over rolling blackouts that have lasted up to 48 hours, with protests in Banjul and nearby towns turning violent as police tear-gassed crowds and demonstrators burned tyres and blocked roads. Public Order Response: The police chief has banned all public protests without permits, warning violations could be met with force, after days of unrest linked to frustration over President Adama Barrow ahead of December elections. Energy Promises: Barrow says the government will commission a new 24-megawatt generation machine by end of October and start a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma, framing the outages as a national security emergency. Rising Climate Pressure on Food: Farmers along the Bintang Bolong estuary are rebuilding defenses against saltwater intrusion as sea-level rise and uncertain rainfall push seawater into rice fields, leaving more plots salt-blighted. Health & Environment Risk: A West Africa study flags high rates of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning among farmers, with The Gambia reported at 51.5%, raising concerns about farm chemical safety and food contamination.

Electricity Crisis in Focus: Gambians have taken to the streets again over rolling blackouts, with protests in Banjul and across the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region turning violent at times as police used tear gas and demonstrators burned tyres and blocked roads; Public Order & Rights: the police chief has banned all public protests without official permits, warning violations would be met with force; Government Response: President Adama Barrow urged calm while calling the outages a “national security issue,” pledging a 24-megawatt generation machine by end of October and a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma; Climate & Food Security: separate reporting highlights how saltwater intrusion is pushing Gambian farmers to rethink how to protect rice fields, with seawater stress already driving retreat inland; Health & Environment: a West Africa study flags high rates of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning among farmers, with The Gambia among the affected countries.

Electricity Crisis & Protests: Gambians in Banjul and across the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region have taken to the streets again over rolling power cuts blamed on surging demand, weather impacts on hydro output, and supply constraints—outages reaching up to 48 hours in some areas. Police used tear gas as crowds burned tyres, blocked roads, and marched toward NAWEC and State House, with President Adama Barrow urging calm while warning that destroying public infrastructure will raise repair costs. Energy Policy Response: Barrow says a 24-megawatt generation machine will be commissioned by end of October and a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma is set to begin construction soon, as officials and MPs also push for lower utility costs to ease pressure on businesses like Salaam Cement. Climate & Food Security: In western Gambia, farmers along the Bintang Bolong estuary are adapting as saltwater advances damage rice fields—villagers are retreating inland and debating whether dikes help or worsen long-term salt intrusion. Public Health & Environment: A West Africa study flags high rates of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning among farmers, with The Gambia among the countries affected, adding pressure to improve safer farm practices and reduce harmful residues. Wildlife Conservation: Conservationists highlight threats to migratory raptors across West Africa, urging better tracking and cross-border protection along migratory routes.

Electricity Crisis in Focus: Fresh protests erupted in and around Banjul overnight as rolling power cuts—sometimes lasting up to 48 hours—left homes without water, spoiled food, and shut shops. Police used tear gas in areas including Bakau, Tanji, and Tujereng, while demonstrators burned tyres and blocked roads, escalating anger that has simmered since June. Government Response: President Adama Barrow urged calm, saying citizens can protest but must not destroy public infrastructure, warning that vandalism raises repair costs. He pledged new supply by end of October: a 24-megawatt generator and a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma, framing the outages as a national security emergency. Climate & Coastal Impacts: Separate reporting highlights how saltwater intrusion is pushing Gambian rice farmers to rethink protection methods, with seawater advancing into estuary farmlands and forcing communities inland. Public Health & Environment Education: World Mosquito Day coverage underscores how climate-driven shifts are changing malaria risk, while TUI Junior Academy marks 10 years of environmental education, launching a new Gambia programme with Green-Up Gambia to tackle deforestation, sustainable farming, and waste management.

Electricity Crisis in Focus: Gambians protested in Banjul and across the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region after rolling blackouts since June, with outages reported up to 48 hours; police used tear gas as crowds burned tyres and blocked roads, while President Adama Barrow urged calm and said the government will commission a 24-megawatt generator by end of October and start a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma. Climate Impacts on Food: In western Gambia, saltwater intrusion is pushing farmers to rethink how they protect rice fields, as seawater advances and uncertain rainfall overwhelm traditional earthen dike defenses. Air Quality Watch: On International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, a new Africa-wide brief says more than 20 African countries still miss even the WHO’s loosest air pollution limits, underscoring the health stakes for the region. Youth & Waste Solutions: TUI Junior Academy marks 10 years and is launching a new Gambia programme with Green-Up Gambia, training pupils through bootcamps on deforestation, sustainable farming and waste management. Marine & Wildlife Links: A Harvard study warns West Africa’s coastlines can lose up to 30 feet per year, and conservationists highlight raptor threats across migratory routes into West Africa.

Electricity Crisis in Focus: Gambians in Banjul, Kanifing, Brikama and Brufut took to the streets again after rolling blackouts lasting up to 48 hours, burning tyres and blocking roads as police used tear gas near NAWEC. Government Response: President Adama Barrow urged calm, called the outages a “national security issue,” and pledged a 24-megawatt generator by end of October plus a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma. Community Impact: Traders and families reported spoiled food, stalled businesses and unbearable heat during long outages, with protesters demanding reliable power before December elections. Public Health Angle: Separate coverage on World Mosquito Day highlights how climate-driven shifts in rainfall and temperature are changing malaria risk—an urgent reminder that heat and weather stress can worsen health burdens. Coastal Climate Risk: A Harvard study warns West Africa’s coastlines can lose up to 30 feet of land per year, challenging “hard engineering” fixes and raising stakes for climate resilience. Youth & Environment Education: TUI Junior Academy marks 10 years and is launching a new Gambia programme with Green-Up Gambia, training pupils on deforestation, sustainable farming and waste management.

Power Crisis in Focus: Gambians have staged escalating protests in Banjul and nearby areas over rolling blackouts that began in June and can last up to 48 hours, with police using tear gas as crowds burned tyres and blocked roads toward NAWEC. Government Response: President Adama Barrow urged calm while calling the outages a “national security issue,” promising a 24-megawatt generator by end of October and a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma to improve reliability ahead of December elections. Coastal Climate Warning: A Harvard study warns parts of West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea coast are eroding up to 30 feet per year, saying “hard engineering” like groynes can protect one area while accelerating loss elsewhere. Clean Air Push: On the UN’s International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, a new Africa Air Quality Brief says more than 20 African countries still miss even the WHO’s loosest PM2.5 limits, calling for better air-quality data for action. Youth & Waste Skills: TUI Junior Academy marks 10 years, and is launching a new Gambia programme with Green-Up Gambia to train pupils on deforestation, sustainable farming and waste management.