Relative calm returned to Gambia's capital, Banjul, on Tuesday following overnight protests over power cuts.

Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who gathered in multiple locations in Gambia, including near President Adama Barrow's official residence.

The West African nation's electricity issues - with some residents reporting blackouts lasting up to 48 hours - come ahead of a presidential election expected in December in which Barrow is seeking a third term.

Barrow was scheduled to visit facilities for the national utility, National Water and Electricity Company Ltd (NAWEC), on Tuesday morning and address the nation at 8 p.m. (2000 GMT).

NAWEC said in a statement on August 15 that it was experiencing "an unforeseen surge in electricity demand during the peak period" which it attributed to high temperatures.

It also reported "a technical incident affecting one of the major power-generating units on the import side", without elaborating.

The situation would require load shedding "affecting several parts of the country", but no dates were given.

NAWEC has not commented on the Monday’s protests.

Traffic had returned to normal in Banjul on Tuesday morning.