AGP Executive Report

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Press Freedom Clash: Guinea has banned France 24 nationwide and withdrawn the channel’s accreditation after a presenter used “putschist president” for President Mamadi Doumbouya, with media watchdogs urging authorities to reverse the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.

Media Freedom Clash: Guinea’s High Authority for Communication (HAC) has warned France 24 over remarks it says insult President Mamady Doumbouya, ordering editorial corrections across digital platforms and warning of sanctions; in a separate move, it also withdrew a Jeune Afrique correspondent’s accreditation. Sports—AFCON Roadmap: South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane named a 30-man Bafana Bafana squad for qualifiers against Guinea (Sept. 26) and Eritrea (Sept. 30), plus a friendly vs Egypt (Oct. 4), retaining much of the World Cup core and adding players including Luther Singh, Cassius Mailula, Yanela Mbuthuma and Puso Dithejane. Ebola Update (DR Congo): WHO says Ebola transmission is easing in Ituri but the outbreak is still growing overall, with cases rising in North Kivu and the death toll continuing to climb. Public Health & Food Security: UNICEF says Gaza’s winter needs are urgent and is calling for flexible funding for warm clothing, shelter support and cash assistance, while FAO is backing food production for vulnerable Haitian households.

Media Freedom & Governance: Guinea’s High Authority for Communication (HAC) has issued a formal warning to France 24 after a presenter called President Mamady Doumbouya a “putschist president,” ordering editorial corrections across all digital platforms and warning of sanctions; HAC also withdrew accreditation from a Jeune Afrique correspondent over alleged professional misconduct. Energy & Daily Life: Sierra Leone’s EDSA says a major technical fault on the 225kV line between Yiben and the Bumbuna substation has cut transmission via the CLSG interconnection, triggering load shedding in parts of Freetown while teams work with TRANSCO CLSG to restore power. Mining Value-Add: Guinea is pushing beyond raw bauxite as Mines Minister Bouna Sylla links a new Glencore bauxite offtake deal (10–12 million tonnes annually for five years) to possible alumina refining and energy investments, aiming to capture more value locally. Regional Cooperation: Sierra Leone and Guinea agreed to strengthen border security, civil registration, and action against human trafficking, smuggling, and drug trafficking, including better documentation for citizens living across the border. Solar Push: Guinea’s Ministry of Energy and Belgium’s RELP signed an agreement to support a competitive procurement program for solar PV and battery storage, starting with an indicative 400 MW phase. Transport Tragedy: A market boat capsized on the Makona River at Nongoa crossing, killing a woman and an 18-month-old child and leaving a Guinean soldier missing, with safety compliance and the cause under investigation.

Guinea’s mining push up the value chain: Guinea is in talks with Glencore to expand a new bauxite deal into alumina refining and energy investment, aiming to turn raw exports into more local jobs and industry. Energy procurement: Guinea’s Ministry of Energy and Belgium’s RELP signed an agreement to design a competitive solar-plus-battery procurement program, starting with an indicative 400 MW phase. Regional security and migration: Sierra Leone and Guinea agreed to strengthen border security and civil registration to tackle transnational crime and reduce problems caused by weak documentation. Cross-border tragedy: A market boat capsized on the Guinea–Sierra Leone border, killing a woman and an 18-month-old child and leaving a Guinean soldier missing. Public health planning: A WHO regional universal health coverage meeting in Lomé brought together lab and diagnostics officials from 16 countries to map roadmaps to close service gaps by 2030. Development cooperation debate: A new analysis argues aid budgets are being cut faster as public support shifts toward demanding “proof” of results on the ground. Sports (Guinea-linked): Guinea’s university football team Julius Nyerere University of Guinea lost 2-1 to Ghana’s UDS in the All Africa University Games final.

Makona River Tragedy: A motorised pirogue carrying market traders capsized at the Nongoa crossing on the Guinea–Sierra Leone border, killing a woman and an 18-month-old child and leaving a Guinean soldier missing; 41 survivors were rescued and authorities are investigating the cause, with safety concerns renewed for the busy daily trade route. Mining Deal for Bauxite: Nimba Mining Company (NMC) and Glencore signed an offtake agreement for Guinean bauxite, including $300m+ pre-financing and 10–12 million tonnes a year for five years, as Guinea pushes more alumina refining and local value-add. Security Cooperation Against Terror: Guinea’s military moves to counter JNIM-linked threats near the Mali border with a newly inaugurated interagency Special Operations Command aimed at better coordination and interoperability. Human Trafficking Crackdown (Regional): Sierra Leone’s labour ministry says the Guinea transit route is temporarily frozen while it investigates alleged overseas recruitment and abandonment cases, including fraudulent documents tied to specific agencies. Ebola Update in the Region: DRC officials and UN partners urge caution as Ebola transmission is reported to be slowing, with deaths and confirmed cases still rising across seven provinces.

Sahel Displacement: Togo, Burkina Faso’s neighbors (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana) signed UNHCR agreements in Lomé to support the voluntary return of Burkinabe refugees as insecurity keeps pushing people toward the Gulf of Guinea. Ebola in DR Congo: The UN urges caution as Congolese officials say Ebola transmission may be slowing; confirmed cases now stand at 7,258 with 3,510 deaths across seven provinces, and daily fatalities have eased from a peak. Guinea-Sierra Leone Migration Crackdown: Sierra Leone’s labour minister ordered a review of recruitment agencies and kept the Guinea transit route frozen while authorities investigate reports of Sierra Leoneans allegedly being moved into Guinea and abandoned at airports. Conakry Port Leadership: Conakry Terminal appointed Édouard Leno as Managing Director, aiming to improve logistics performance and push toward handling one million containers. Humanitarian Data Point: An Oxford report says 252 million young children in developing countries are undernourished, multidimensionally poor, or both—highlighting gaps in schooling and protection.

Guinea–Côte d’Ivoire Diplomacy: President Mamady Doumbouya met Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan and agreed to deepen cooperation on security, trade, and political ties, including stronger intelligence sharing and joint action against cross-border crime and terrorism, plus a renewed focus on tackling illegal gold mining. Mining & Industry: Guinea’s mines minister says talks with Glencore go beyond last week’s bauxite deal, with possible investment in alumina refining and energy to diversify funding and expand exports beyond China. Port Management: Conakry Terminal appointed Édouard Leno as Managing Director, aiming to improve operations and position the port as a stronger regional logistics hub. Human Trafficking Prevention: NAPTIP and Expertise France launched the PROTECT project to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts across Nigeria and West Africa, including Guinea, with better coordination and victim protection. Regional Context: West Africa’s banana output hit about 8.7 million tons in 2024, with Nigeria leading dessert banana production, mostly for domestic consumption.

Guinea–Côte d’Ivoire Diplomacy: Presidents Mamady Doumbouya and Alassane Ouattara agreed in Abidjan to deepen cooperation on security, trade and politics, including stronger intelligence sharing to tackle cross-border crime and terrorism, and a renewed push against illegal gold mining. Mining & Processing Deals: Guinea’s mines minister says Conakry is in talks with Glencore to expand beyond last week’s bauxite pre-financing/offtake, aiming for alumina refining and energy investments as Guinea seeks more funding and export markets beyond China. Human Trafficking Response: NAPTIP and France’s Expertise France launched the PROTECT project to strengthen anti-trafficking capacity across Benin, Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo, including better reporting and victim protection. Public Safety: Police in Orange Walk Town say a fatal motorcycle crash killed 25-year-old fisherman Lorenzo Castro; a file will go to the DPP to decide charges. Ebola Watch (DRC): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has confirmed cases rising above 7,000, with spread to a new province and thousands living in high-risk displaced camps.

Guinea–Mining & Industry: Guinea is in talks with Glencore on expanding beyond last week’s bauxite pre-financing deal, with Mines Minister Bouna Sylla saying the partnership could lead to alumina refining and energy investments as Conakry pushes for more domestic processing. Guinea–Regional Diplomacy: President Mamady Doumbouya met Côte d’Ivoire’s Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, agreeing to deepen cooperation on security, trade and politics, including intelligence sharing and action against illegal gold mining. Ebola Watch (DR Congo): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 7,000 confirmed cases and reached a seventh province, with authorities reporting 7,022 cases and 3,398 deaths as the virus spreads amid fragile health conditions. West Africa Shipping & Trade: Hapag-Lloyd signed with DP World to expand long-term terminal capacity across Africa, including Dakar, Luanda and Dar es Salaam, supporting infrastructure at Banana (DRC) and Maputo (Mozambique). Gambia Power Crisis: Gambia’s President Adama Barrow urged calm after violent protests over prolonged blackouts, as police used tear gas and demonstrators burned tyres ahead of a December election.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: Congo authorities confirmed three new Ebola cases in a displaced persons camp in Ituri, where about 70,000 people live in harsh conditions with poor sanitation; the outbreak now stands at 7,022 confirmed cases and 3,398 deaths, and has spread to a seventh province, South Ubangi. Guinea Route Recruitment Probe: Sierra Leone’s labour ministry suspended overseas recruitment activities using the Guinea route after allegations that agencies were moving Sierra Leoneans for jobs abroad; licensed agencies must submit documents while investigations continue. Bafana Bafana Update: Pitso Mosimane returned to coach South Africa’s men’s team, with technical staff changes underway and preparations for Afcon qualifiers starting against Guinea at Orlando. Sports Desk: Borussia Dortmund kept their perfect Bundesliga start with a 3-0 win over Paderborn, with a Guinean player involved in the early goal. Public Safety: A 25-year-old fisherman from Guinea Grass Village, Lorenzo Castro, died after a motorcycle collision in Orange Walk Town.

Bafana Bafana Return: Pitso Mosimane is back as South Africa’s head coach, with SAFA confirming he’ll shape a squad for Afcon qualifiers starting next week against Guinea at Orlando, while he finalises his technical team including new assistant Morena Ramoreboli. Ebola Update (DRC): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 7,000 confirmed cases and 3,000 deaths, now reaching a seventh province, South Ubangi, far from the original epicentre—raising fears for wider regional spread. Migration & Jobs (Guinea Route): Sierra Leone’s labour ministry suspended overseas recruitment linked to the Guinea route after allegations of delays and irregular facilitation of workers heading abroad. Consular Engagement: Sierra Leone’s VP Juldeh Jalloh met Sierra Leoneans in Guinea to address migration, consular protection, and cross-border trade, including plans for consular and trader cards. Sports (Guinea-linked): Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha scored twice as Fábio Silva added another, with Silva’s early goal coming from a Guinean assist. Road Tragedy (Guinea Grass): A 25-year-old fisherman from Guinea Grass Village died after a motorcycle collision in Orange Walk Town.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: Congo’s record-breaking Ebola outbreak has surged past 7,000 confirmed cases, with deaths rising to 3,398, and spread to a seventh province, South Ubangi, far from the original epicenter—raising fears for neighboring areas as health response faces shortages and insecurity. West Africa Weather: A NASA satellite image shows a massive dust plume over Mali, linked to a haboob, drifting toward the Atlantic as West Africa’s dust season shifts. Guinea-Sierra Leone Migration Talks: Guinea’s VP Juldeh Jalloh met Sierra Leoneans in Guinea to address migration, consular protection, employment, and cross-border trade, including plans for consular and trader cards and follow-up mechanisms. Sports Spotlight: Borussia Dortmund kept their perfect Bundesliga start with a 3-0 win over Paderborn, with Guinean-linked play featuring in the scoring build-up. Road Safety Tragedy: A 25-year-old motorcyclist from Guinea Grass Village died after a collision in Orange Walk Town, with police citing an unlicensed, unlit bike and ongoing investigations.

Ebola Update (DR Congo): The DRC’s record Ebola outbreak has surged past 7,000 confirmed cases (7,022) and 3,398 deaths, now spreading to a seventh province—Sud-Ubangi—far from the original epicentre, with officials citing the rare Bundibugyo strain and warning the response is strained by insecurity, displacement, and health-system bottlenecks. Guinea in the Region (Migration): Sierra Leone’s Labour Ministry has suspended overseas recruitment activities routed through Guinea after allegations of delays and irregular facilitation, urging workers to use lawful channels while investigations continue. Port & Trade (Guinea): Conakry Terminal appointed Édouard Leno as Managing Director, aiming to boost performance and competitiveness as Guinea pushes to handle up to one million containers. Local News (Guinea-linked): A fatal Orange Walk traffic crash in Belize killed 25-year-old Lorenzo Castro, described as a fisherman from Guinea Grass Village. Energy & Politics (Africa): Twenty African governments backed a charter asserting sovereignty over family policy, including rejecting abortion rights, as protests and power-crisis unrest continue in parts of the region.

Ebola in DR Congo: Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo have passed 7,000, with the virus now detected in a seventh province far from the outbreak epicentre; officials say the death toll has climbed to 3,398 as Africa CDC warns the spread is accelerating amid insecurity, displacement, and health worker shortages. Guinea-Sierra Leone migration controls: Sierra Leone’s Labour Ministry has suspended overseas recruitment linked to the Guinea route after allegations that some agencies use Guinea to move workers for jobs abroad, with investigations and a call for the public to avoid unverified operators. Guinea backs Morocco’s Sahara position: Guinea reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and said the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty is the only viable solution, reiterated during the Morocco-Guinea joint commission in Conakry. Conakry Terminal leadership: Conakry Terminal appointed Édouard Leno as Managing Director, aiming to boost port performance and competitiveness in West Africa. Energy and trade ripple effects: Markets report coal prices edging toward a key breakout level as utilities prepare for winter demand, while Guinea-linked bauxite and regional freight activity continues to support shipping demand.