Electricity & Protests Crackdown: Gambia’s police chief Seedy Mukhtar Touray has banned all public demonstrations without permits after days of violent unrest linked to prolonged power cuts, including tear gas use, vandalism and unlawful detainee releases; opposition figures say youth frustration is real, but authorities warn violations will be met with force. Telecom Investment Push: The Trump administration’s Export-Import Bank is set to lend about $99.6m to Africell, a U.S.-owned telecom operator serving Angola, DR Congo, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, to buy American and allied mobile-network equipment and compete with Huawei’s dominance in Africa’s 4G/5G buildout. Election Rules Tighten: The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced stricter presidential candidate verification ahead of Dec. 5, 2026, including tighter signature and voter-card checks and added documentation requirements. Cost of Power Hits Industry: MPs are calling for lower electricity and utility costs for Salaam Cement, arguing high energy tariffs and reliance on generators are pushing up cement prices despite local production plans. Justice Funds for Reparations: The justice minister says the U.S. will transfer proceeds from the sale of Yahya Jammeh’s $3.5m U.S. mansion to The Gambia for reparations payments. Youth & Peace Messaging: The NPP student wing urges young people to protest peacefully amid the electricity crisis, warning that violence and vandalism only worsen hardship for families. Tourism Angle on Power: A business-focused view highlights how unreliable electricity is raising costs for hotels and tourism operators, arguing for a dedicated financing framework to help them adopt solar and storage.