Sirah Darboe-Manneh, 31, a fishmonger and mother of six, cuts fish for sale at a fish landing site in Tanji, on September 12, 2026, as prolonged electricity shortages make it difficult for fishmongers to preserve their catch. Rising ice prices and prolonged electricity shortages have made it increasingly difficult for Sirah to preserve and sell her fish, leaving her worried about earning enough to pay her children's school fees as the new school term begins. Since June the tiny west African nation has been hobbled by prolonged blackouts, which have reached a fever pitch in recent weeks, right at the peak of the hot season. Sometimes lasting 12 to 48 hours, the outages have plunged Gambians into steaming darkness at night, and have meant the loss of livelihood for a broad spectrum of society. Two nights of chaotic, spontaneous protests broke out last week as demonstrators called for the president's ouster. (Photo by MUHAMADOU BITTAYE / AFP via Getty Images)