AGP Executive Report

AFCON Qualifier Focus: South Africa’s Bafana Bafana kick off their 2027 AFCON campaign against Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena, but coach Pitso Mosimane faces a defensive crisis after Nkosinathi Sibisi was ruled out with an injury and Mbekezeli Mbokazi is also unavailable. Match Build-Up & Tactics: Mosimane says he’s weighing formations and will lean on key leaders like captain Ronwen Williams as he tries to move beyond the Hugo Broos era. Guinea Mind Games: Guinea coach Paulo Duarte skipped a mandatory pre-match press conference, raising CAF media-protocol concerns. Gulf of Guinea Security: Ghana hosts a regional conference on women’s leadership in maritime security, while the Ghana Navy deepens cooperation with Italy to strengthen sea-lane protection. Human Stories: In Tunisia, migrants describe harsh pressure and “pushed out” returns, while Global Citizen’s NYC festival was canceled last minute due to extreme weather. Global Diplomacy: Nigeria’s UNGA speeches renewed calls for Security Council reform, including permanent seats for Africa.

UN Security Council Reform: Nigeria’s VP Kashim Shettima, speaking for President Bola Tinubu at UNGA81, renewed the push for at least two permanent African seats on the UN Security Council with veto power, plus five non-permanent seats, arguing the 1945 power structure can’t govern the 2026 world. Liberia’s UN Call: President Joseph Boakai said “80 years of patience is enough,” urging sweeping UN and global finance reforms and stronger African representation. Guinea Football Focus: South Africa’s Bafana Bafana begin AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Guinea on Saturday, with coach Pitso Mosimane warning about Serhou Guirassy’s aerial threat and outlining how he’ll manage Guinea’s overseas-based squad. Digital Rights in Liberia: Ten Liberian civil society groups launched the Digital Advocacy and Rights Alliance (DARA) to push digital rights, privacy, online safety and freedoms. Ebola in DR Congo: WHO warned Congo is short of health workers for Ebola treatment centres as the outbreak spreads across multiple provinces. Environment & Tourism (Principe): A South African tycoon’s ecotourism “dividend” pays locals to protect Principe’s environment, drawing both praise and criticism.

UN Reform Push: Nigeria’s VP Kashim Shettima, speaking for President Tinubu at UNGA, renewed calls for UN Security Council reform—at least two permanent African seats with veto rights and five non-permanent seats—arguing the world of 2026 can’t stay stuck in 1945 power arrangements. Regional Diplomacy: Sierra Leone’s President Bio invited Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya to the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit in Lungi, aiming to boost cross-border infrastructure, energy and trade. Health Crisis in the Region: WHO warns DR Congo is short of health workers to run Ebola treatment centres as the outbreak surges in North Kivu, with cases rising 73% over three weeks and spread across seven provinces. AFCON Focus (Guinea vs South Africa): South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane says Bafana are ready for Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy and other overseas-based threats ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifier. ECOWAS Court: A Guinean lawyer urged the ECOWAS Court of Justice to unlock its arbitration role to better resolve trade and investment disputes across West Africa. Mining & Jobs: The UN launched a mechanism to help Guinea and five other countries turn critical energy-transition minerals into value chains and jobs at home.

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: The group stage kicks off as Guinea’s Syli National prepare to face South Africa in a key Group D showdown, with Pitso Mosimane warning that Guinea’s overseas stars and aerial threat—especially Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy—must be handled on the pitch. UN & Minerals: The UN launched a Country Support Mechanism on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, naming Guinea among the first six beneficiaries to help turn mineral wealth into jobs and local value chains. Guinea at the UN: President Mamadi Doumbouya used his UN General Assembly address to stress self-reliance and sovereignty, highlighting Guinea’s own election financing and major road-building. Regional Diplomacy: Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio invited Doumbouya to the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit in Lungi, focusing on cross-border infrastructure, energy and trade. Sports Business: Fortuna Mining says its CEO will present at Mining Forum Americas 2026, with Guinea among its exploration portfolio. Crime & Drugs: Liberia arrested a Sierra Leonean at the Bo-Waterside border with over 1,500 tablets of suspected Tapentadol, underscoring ongoing opioid trafficking risks in the corridor.

UN Minerals Push: UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced a new Country Support Mechanism to help Guinea and five other countries turn critical minerals into jobs and prosperity, aiming to move them up value chains instead of staying raw-material exporters. Ebola Crisis in Congo: WHO says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is still uncontrolled, with North Kivu cases up 73% in three weeks and a shortage of health workers hampering treatment centers. Climate and Energy: At the UN General Assembly, Guterres warned that doubling down on oil and gas locks countries into vulnerability, urging faster renewable energy build-out as a “super El Niño” intensifies impacts. SME Financing Across West Africa: ITC and Access Bank launched a three-year plan starting with Ghana, covering Guinea and 13 other countries to expand SME finance, skills, and market access. AFCON Qualifiers Spotlight: CAN 2027 qualifiers begin with major coaching changes; South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane starts his new Bafana era against Guinea, while Guinea’s own football story continues to draw attention. Guinea Security Note: Police in Guinea Grass Village report a shooting incident where a farmer and family escaped injury; two suspects were detained.

Guinea Politics: Opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo says Guinean authorities revoked his passport, blocking his travel from Abidjan to New York for UN meetings, which UFDG calls an arbitrary move. AFCON Qualifiers (Guinea vs South Africa): Bafana Bafana kick off Pitso Mosimane’s second era with a key AFCON qualifier against Guinea on Saturday, 26 September (15:00), with the match set for Orlando Stadium and broadcast on SABC 1; squad changes include Tshepang Moremi replacing injured Lebohang Maboe. Guinea Security (Local violence): A neighborhood dispute in Guinea Grass escalated into gunfire; police detained a suspect after two shotgun blasts, with no injuries reported. Digital Security (MRU): Liberia’s LTA chair urged Mano River Union countries— including Guinea—to coordinate against cross-border cyber threats after an MRU Internet Governance Forum. Health (Ebola awareness): In DRC, Ebola response teams held awareness sessions for deaf communities, highlighting communication barriers and prevention steps. Sports (Guinea-linked): Guinea is listed among 20 African countries eligible to vote for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Guinea–South Africa Football: South Africa’s Bafana Bafana kick off their 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea on Saturday, 26 September, at Orlando Stadium in Soweto (15:00 SA time), with SABC 1 set to broadcast; the match marks Pitso Mosimane’s return to the job. Squad Update: Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe has been withdrawn with an ankle injury, and Orlando Pirates winger Tshepang Moremi has been called up as his replacement. Guinea Politics: Exiled Guinean opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo says his passport was revoked, blocking his planned trip to the UN General Assembly in New York. Guinea Rail & Mining: Wabtec signed a $700m-plus long-term services deal for locomotives supporting Guinea’s Simandou rail project, aimed at boosting iron-ore transport from mine to port. Public Health (DR Congo): WHO says an Ebola vaccine trial in Ituri has started, with 20,000 Ervebo doses allocated for research vaccination.

Guinea-linked infrastructure: Wabtec has signed a more than $700m long-term services deal with La Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) to support locomotives for the Simandou rail corridor in Guinea, a major boost for iron-ore logistics and local skills development. Sports—South Africa vs Guinea: Bafana Bafana begin their AFCON 2027 qualifiers with a home clash against Guinea on 26 September, with coach Pitso Mosimane unveiling a squad shaped heavily by Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates players, while also keeping Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe in camp despite a “niggling” ankle injury. Digital rights in West Africa: Sierra Leone lawmaker Mariana Bangura urged MRU countries to strengthen laws for digital rights, privacy, and AI cooperation, calling for affordable internet and safer online spaces across the region. Ebola update (regional health): WHO says 20,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine have been allocated for a research programme in DR Congo’s Ituri amid ongoing outbreak spread.

Flood Response in Coyah: Heavy rains in Coyah and Manéah left 269 people affected, with damaged homes and a school in Batouya losing archives and equipment just as the school year nears. Public Service Hiring: Guinea opens the first wave of its 2026-2027 recruitment drive for 7,197 posts—6,000 teachers, 500 teacher-researchers, and 697 specialist doctors—with applications running through October and exams set for late October. Plastic Ban Enforcement: Guinea begins enforcing a nationwide ban on single-use plastics, including bags, sachets, straws, cups, and polystyrene containers, with border and market controls and penalties for repeat offenders. Ebola Watch (DR Congo): WHO says an Ebola vaccine trial is underway in Ituri, with 20,000 Ervebo doses allocated for research vaccination of frontline workers. Crime & Cross-border Risks: Police in Kono rescued 23 foreign nationals allegedly trapped in a suspected QNET operation, with one suspect arrested and others sought. Sports (Guinea-Africa Cup link): South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane keeps an eye on Lebohang Maboe’s ankle scan ahead of qualifiers starting with Guinea.

Guinea Public Service Hiring: Guinea opens the first wave of its 2026-2027 recruitment drive on Monday, with 7,197 positions available right away—6,000 teachers, 500 teacher-researchers (PhD), and 697 specialist doctors—while more waves run through October 2027. Ebola Watch (DRC): The Democratic Republic of Congo has started vaccinating front-line workers in Bunia as the outbreak nears 3,700 deaths and 7,700 confirmed infections, with health authorities targeting high-risk zones in Ituri. Guinea Politics (Justice): President Mamadi Doumbouya confirms the medical evacuation abroad of former PM Ibrahima Kassory Fofana and former National Assembly president Amadou Damaro Camara, stressing their convictions remain in force and ruling out any pardon. Environment & Trade: Guinea bans single-use plastics including bags, sachets, straws, cups, and polystyrene containers, with border and market controls and penalties for repeat offenders. Football (Regional): Liberia’s U-17 team misses AFCON qualification after a 2-0 loss to Guinea in the WAFU Zone A third-place playoff.

Guinea Politics: President Mamadi Doumbouya confirmed the medical evacuation abroad of former PM Ibrahima Kassory Fofana and former National Assembly president Amadou Damaro Camara, stressing their convictions remain in force and ruling out any pardon or amnesty. Guinea Media Freedom: Guinea banned France 24 nationwide, revoking its authorization and staff accreditations after the broadcaster used what the regulator called offensive language about Doumbouya; the dispute followed an earlier order to stop using the term “coup leader.” Ebola Response (DRC): Congo has started vaccinating healthcare and other front-line workers in Bunia and Mongbwalu with Ervebo as the outbreak spreads, targeting 20,000 workers over 6–9 months. Justice/Immigration (Guinea-linked case): A Guinea-born rideshare driver charged in Maryland with kidnapping and rape of a minor was previously arrested in New York, with police warning of possible other victims. Sports (Guinea tie-in): South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane says Lyle Foster is omitted due to lack of regular minutes, as Bafana prepare to face Guinea in AFCON qualifiers.

Ebola Response in Congo: Congo has started vaccinating frontline health workers in Bunia, Ituri, using the Ervebo vaccine under a compassionate-use plan while trials continue for the current Bundibugyo outbreak; the campaign targets Bunia and Mongbwalu and aims to cover 20,000 workers over 6–9 months as cases and deaths keep rising. Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea has banned France 24 nationwide, revoking its broadcasting authorization and correspondent accreditations after the channel allegedly called President Mamadi Doumbouya a “coup leader,” with the regulator citing defiance of orders and threats to public order. US Immigration Court Sanctions: The US Justice Department published an updated list naming 47 West African immigration lawyers, including from Guinea, suspended or barred for professional misconduct before immigration courts. Guinea-linked US Crime Case: A rideshare driver accused of kidnapping and raping a minor in Maryland is identified as an illegal immigrant from Guinea, with authorities saying he previously faced similar sex-crime charges in New York. West Africa Disease Preparedness: West African laboratory scientists warn health systems are weakening and urge stronger outbreak detection and regional cooperation, pointing to lessons from Ebola and COVID-19.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea’s communications regulator has banned France 24 nationwide, revoking its broadcast licence and stripping staff accreditations after the channel used what it called offensive language about President Mamadi Doumbouya, while France 24 later corrected and apologized. Ebola Response in Congo: In Bunia, Congo, authorities began vaccinating healthcare workers against Ebola, prioritizing front-line staff in Ituri’s hardest-hit zones as the outbreak—now with thousands of cases and deaths—continues to spread. Public Health Warning: West African laboratory scientists in Lome urged governments to strengthen disease surveillance and diagnostics, warning that weakening health systems could leave the region unready for the next major outbreak. Human Rights in Tunisia: NGOs report migrants and refugees in Tunisia face harsh mistreatment, including abuse and detention, with two friends from Guinea describing mounting pressure and limited options. Sports & Guinea Link: South Africa’s Bafana Bafana squad for AFCON qualifiers includes players set to face Guinea, with debate in local media over selections as the match approaches.

Media Freedom in Guinea: Guinea’s High Authority of Communication has banned France 24 nationwide, revoking the broadcaster’s licence and stripping accreditations for its staff after a presenter called President Mamadi Doumbouya a “putschist president.” The ban covers satellite and cable TV, websites, mobile apps and social media, with Canal+ Guinea ordered to remove the channel and ARPT told to block digital access. Press Rights Pushback: The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Guinean authorities to reverse the ban and reinstate Jeune Afrique correspondent Diawo Barry, saying the move targets independent voices. Guinea–Africa Health Watch: West African scientists in Lomé warned that weakening health systems and reliance on external vaccines could leave the region exposed to outbreaks, citing lessons from Ebola and COVID-19. Sports (South Africa–Guinea link): South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane named a 30-man Bafana squad for AFCON qualifiers starting against Guinea, with Sundowns and Pirates players dominating the call-ups.

Press Freedom Clash: Guinea has banned France 24 nationwide and withdrawn the channel’s accreditation after a presenter used “putschist president” for President Mamadi Doumbouya, with media watchdogs urging authorities to reverse the move and reinstate Jeune Afrique’s correspondent. Public Health Watch: West African laboratory scientists meeting in Lomé warn health systems are weakening and call for stronger outbreak detection and diagnostics, citing Ebola lessons from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Ebola Update: Doctors Without Borders says the DRC Ebola outbreak is shifting to provinces with weaker response capacity, keeping the national risk high despite early signs of improvement. Guinea’s Trade & Logistics: Conakry Terminal targets over 1 million containers annually by 2029-2030, citing rising volumes, congestion fixes, and major equipment and dry-port expansion plans. Sports—Bafana Focus: South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane names a 30-man squad for AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, with several recalls and new faces, as preparations intensify for the September 26 opener.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea’s regulator has banned France 24 from broadcasting after a presenter called President Mamady Doumbouya a “putschist president,” following an earlier warning and demand for editorial corrections. AFCON Qualifiers Focus (South Africa): Pitso Mosimane named South Africa’s final 30-man squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, starting with Guinea in Johannesburg on Sept. 26, with recalls including Themba Zwane and Luther Singh, and a leadership plan that uses multiple captains. Matchday Momentum: Relebohile Mofokeng scored on his Europa League debut for Union Saint-Gilloise, the same day he was named in Mosimane’s Bafana squad. Health Financing (ECA): The UN Economic Commission for Africa convened a high-level advisory group on health financing, pushing for stronger domestic funding as aid and fiscal space tighten. Ebola Update (DR Congo): WHO says Ebola transmission is showing encouraging signs of improvement in the DRC, though the outbreak continues to spread and kill.