AGP Executive Report

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Draw: The big matchups are set after CAF confirmed the groups in Cairo, with Ghana drawn alongside Ivory Coast in Group C, while Nigeria face Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau in Group L. Hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are already through, but still take part in the qualifiers, meaning only one extra spot is up for grabs in groups containing a host. Zambia landed in Group I with Algeria, Togo and Burundi, and South Africa will battle Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea in Group D. Schedule: qualifiers run in three FIFA windows from 21 Sept–6 Oct 2026, 9–17 Nov 2026, and 22–30 Mar 2027, with the finals in June 19–July 17, 2027. Ukraine War: Russian drones struck ships heading to Odesa, including a Chinese-linked vessel, as Putin prepares for talks in Beijing.

Ukraine War & Shipping: Russian drones struck two civilian ships heading to Ukraine’s Odesa ports, including the Chinese-owned bulk carrier KSL Deyang (Marshall Islands flag) and another vessel flying a Guinea-Bissau flag; Ukraine says small fires were quickly put out and crews were not injured. Diplomacy Pressure: The attacks came just before Vladimir Putin’s Beijing trip to meet Xi Jinping, raising fresh concerns about how the war is spilling into international trade routes. Ukraine Frontline: In the north near Pokrovsk, Ukrainian forces warn positions are “almost cut off” as Russian pressure grows. AFCON Qualifiers Draw: Ghana has been placed in Pot 2 for the 2027 AFCON qualifying draw in Cairo, with co-hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania guaranteed finals spots but still participating in qualifiers. Local Development (Gambia): President Barrow launched an 85km road project in Upper River Region to connect 22 remote communities. Sports (Gambia): The Gambia U-20 women beat Guinea-Bissau 2–0, with Sarah Jarju scoring twice. FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket: Qualifiers begin this month in Côte d’Ivoire, with host cities already set across zones.

Ukraine War at Sea: Russia’s drone campaign near Odesa hit multiple civilian ships again today, including a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier linked to China (KSL Deyang) and another vessel flying the Guinea-Bissau flag; fires were contained by crews and ships continued toward Greater Odesa ports. Odesa Under Pressure: Local officials also reported drone attacks damaging homes and infrastructure, with at least two people injured, including an 11-year-old. Putin–China Context: The strikes come as Moscow signals “serious expectations” for Putin’s Beijing trip and deepening ties with Xi—raising fresh concerns for international shipping in the corridor. Gambia–Iran Football: In sport, Iran will host Gambia’s delegation for warm-ups in Turkey on 29 May, with Iran covering costs, while Gambia prepares friendlies next month at Bakau’s Independence Stadium. Local Development: President Adama Barrow launched an 85km road project in Upper River Region to connect 22 remote communities.

Football: Sunderland stunned Everton at Goodison’s new home with Enzo Le Fée’s 81st-minute strike and Wilson Isidor’s stoppage-time finish, keeping the Black Cats’ European hopes alive while leaving David Moyes’ side frustrated. Travel Mobility: Oman’s passport climbed in the Henley Passport Index to 55th, with visa-free/VOA access to 84 destinations, while Pakistan’s ranking slipped to 100th as its visa-free/VOA access fell to 30. Health & Safety: Guinea-Bissau took another step toward a polio-free future as an independent assessment recommended closing the 2021 vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 outbreak, but urged continued immunization and surveillance. Regional Security: ECOWAS is pushing ahead with high-level monitoring in Guinea-Bissau and plans for a regional counterterror force, as West Africa looks to tighten security cooperation. Sports (Local/Region): Gambia’s U-20 women bounced back to beat Guinea-Bissau 2–0, with Sarah Jarju scoring twice. Tech/Calls: Nepal Telecom revised international call billing to a 60-second pulse for 58 countries starting May 15.

Passport Update: Oman’s passport climbed in the Henley Passport Index for May 2026, moving to 55th place (from 57 in January) with visa-free or Visa-on-Arrival access to 84 destinations, including Guinea-Bissau. Regional Health: Guinea-Bissau is pushing toward a polio-free future, with recent progress tied to continued immunization and surveillance after an earlier variant poliovirus type 2 outbreak. ECOWAS Watch: ECOWAS sent a high-level monitoring mission to Guinea-Bissau, while also moving toward a regional counterterror force—aimed at strengthening security across West Africa. Development on the Ground: A joint ECOWAS/KfW/GIZ mission inspected infrastructure and social projects in Guinea-Bissau’s Bolama, Bafata, Bada and Gabu, including health, training, water and agriculture facilities. Sports & Culture: Guinea-Bissau’s wrestling team arrived in The Gambia for the TOLAC tournament, and the Kumpo masquerade spirit from the region drew crowds in Singapore.

Polio progress in Guinea-Bissau: Guinea-Bissau has taken another step toward a polio-free future, with an independent assessment recommending closure of the 2021 variant poliovirus type 2 outbreak—while stressing the need for continued immunisation and surveillance. ECOWAS on the ground: At the same time, an ECOWAS high-level monitoring mission has been checking infrastructure and social projects across Bolama, Bafata, Bafata and Gabu, including new health and training facilities, hospital rehabilitation, water and sanitation work, and agriculture support. Regional security planning: ECOWAS is also moving toward a regional counterterror force, with officials saying financing will be key as troop plans take shape. Sports spotlight: Guinea-Bissau’s wrestling team has arrived in The Gambia for the TOLAC Tournament (15–17 May), and Gambia’s U-20 women beat Guinea-Bissau 2–0 in Bissau. Elsewhere: Nepal Telecom has revised international call billing to a 60-second pulse for 58 countries starting 15 May.

Happiest Cities Watch: A new global ranking puts the world’s happiest cities in 2026 under the spotlight, with readers likely to compare where their region stands and why quality of life keeps shifting. Polio Push in Guinea-Bissau: Guinea-Bissau has taken another step toward a polio-free future, with an independent assessment recommending closure of the 2021 variant poliovirus type 2 outbreak—while stressing the need for continued immunisation and surveillance. ECOWAS Security Oversight: ECOWAS sent a high-level monitoring mission to Guinea-Bissau, while the wider bloc also moves toward stronger regional security planning, including efforts to counter terrorism. Trade and Power Shifts: Fresh global analysis shows China overtaking the U.S. as the top goods trading partner for most countries by 2025, leaving only a handful of African states trading more with America than China. Local Health and Infrastructure: ECOWAS, KfW and GIZ inspected key infrastructure and social projects across Guinea-Bissau, including health, training, water and agriculture. Sports Spotlight: Guinea-Bissau’s wrestling team arrived in The Gambia for the TOLAC tournament, and Gambia’s U-20 women beat Guinea-Bissau 2–0 in WAFU A-U-20 action.

Polio push in Guinea-Bissau: An independent assessment is recommending closure of the 2021 polio type 2 outbreak, while urging Guinea-Bissau to keep immunising and monitoring to stay on track for a polio-free future. ECOWAS oversight: ECOWAS also sent a high-level monitoring mission to Guinea-Bissau, as regional partners keep an eye on progress. Regional peace and security: ECOWAS is moving toward a regional counterterror force, with work underway to define troop plans and financing—an effort that comes as officials warn cross-border peace is still held back by “policy gaps.” Health and services on the ground: A joint ECOWAS-KfW-GIZ inspection tour checked infrastructure and social programmes across Bolama, Bafata, Gabu and Bada, including new maternity and pediatric facilities and water and sanitation upgrades. Sports spotlight: Guinea-Bissau’s wrestling team arrived in The Gambia for the TOLAC tournament, while Gambia’s U-20 women beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in WAFU A-U-20 action.

ECOWAS Watch: A high-level ECOWAS monitoring mission is in Guinea-Bissau, checking progress on infrastructure and social projects tied to peacebuilding in fragile regions, including health and training facilities across Bolama, Bafata, Gabu and Bafata. Regional Security: ECOWAS is also moving toward a regional counterterror force, with plans for a core brigade and troop commitments from several West African states. Drug Pressure in Casamance: In Senegal’s long-running Casamance conflict, soldiers with sniffer dogs destroyed cannabis fields near the Gambia border, arresting suspects and seizing weapons and tonnes of cannabis. Sports & Youth: Guinea-Bissau’s wrestling team has arrived in The Gambia for the TOLAC tournament, while Gambia’s U-20 women beat Guinea-Bissau 2–0 in WAFU A-U-20 action. Local Life: Nepal Telecom revised international call billing to a 60-second pulse for 58 countries, effective May 15, 2026.

Agribusiness Deal: Itafos has amended its sulfuric acid supply contract with Rio Tinto, keeping long-term deliveries from Kennecott in Utah and shifting the pricing benchmark from the Vancouver Index to the Tampa Index from May 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2029, with added flexibility on volumes to smooth recent price swings. Telecom Billing Change: Nepal Telecom says international outgoing calls will now be charged on a 60-second pulse for 58 countries starting May 15, 2026, using access codes 00/1424/1425/1445. Regional Sports: Guinea-Bissau wrestling’s TOLAC tournament build-up continues as the national team arrives in The Gambia for the May 15–17 event. Humanitarian Spotlight: Qatar Red Crescent’s Adahi campaign reports strong local engagement and plans to support over 209,000 beneficiaries across 16 countries. Security Watch: Spain warns drug traffickers’ “stashing areas” are spreading fast toward the Balearics, citing more go-fast speedboats and shifting routes.

Sports Diplomacy: Guinea-Bissau’s wrestling team has arrived in The Gambia for the TOLAC tournament (May 15–17), with fans buzzing for traditional bouts and ECOWAS-style unity, while the first batch of referees also landed in Banjul. Telecom Costs: Nepal Telecom says international outgoing calls will now be billed in 60-second pulses for 58 countries, starting May 15, after regulator approval. Humanitarian Spotlight: Qatar Red Crescent’s Adahi “Make Their Eid” campaign is drawing strong local support, aiming to turn donated sacrifices into food aid for more than 209,000 beneficiaries across 16 countries. Regional Security Push: ECOWAS is moving toward a regional counterterror force, with financing and troop structure still the big questions as planning continues. WAFU Football: The Gambia’s U-20 women bounced back with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau, with Sarah Jarju scoring twice and earning Player of the Match.

Humanitarian Push: Qatar Red Crescent’s 2026 Adahi campaign (“Make Their Eid”) is drawing strong public engagement, aiming to turn 10,680 sheep, cattle and goats into food support for over 209,000 people across 16 countries, including Gaza, Sudan and Gambia. Football Spotlight: In WAFU A U-20 Women’s action, Sarah Jarju scored twice as Gambia’s Young Queen Scorpions beat Guinea-Bissau 2–0, bouncing back after earlier setbacks and earning Jarju Player of the Match. Regional Security Plan: ECOWAS is moving toward a regional counterterror force, with member states including The Gambia and Senegal pledging troops, while officials warn that sustainable financing will be key. Sports Media in Bissau: The Gambia’s Sports Journalists Association president Omar Jarju joined Guinea-Bissau’s minister to inaugurate a new Forum of Sports Journalists, strengthening cross-border professional ties. Arts & Culture: A new piece on photographer-poet Gilles Nicolet’s return to Africa highlights how the continent keeps pulling people back.

ECOWAS Security Push: ECOWAS is moving ahead with a regional counterterror force, with plans to set up a core counterterrorism brigade of 1,650 troops and station contingents in member states ready for deployment—while officials warn that finding a reliable financing source will be key. Sports—Gambia Bounce Back: The Gambia’s U-20 women beat Guinea-Bissau 2–0 in Bissau, with Sarah Jarju scoring early and adding a second-half penalty as the Young Queens responded after a loss to Senegal. Football—Everton Drama: Guinea-Bissau’s Beto scored again for Everton in a 2–2 draw at Crystal Palace, while David Moyes admitted he’s still unsure about his future beyond the season. Diplomacy—Africa-France Summit: A Nairobi summit on May 11–12 highlights France’s renewed Africa approach after the break with several West African states. Travel—Passport Update: Pakistan’s passport slipped to 100th, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 30 destinations. Guinea-Bissau Census: Guinea-Bissau confirmed its long-delayed population census will run 1–21 June.

PSL Title Race: Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs played out a tense 1-1 draw, but the big story is Chiefs’ Flavio da Silva’s side losing Mduduzi Shabalala to injury after he broke his arm in a rough first-half incident; the club says surgery is needed and he’ll miss the rest of the season. Sundowns equalised early in the second half through Brayan Leon, then had Jayden Adams sent off after a second yellow for simulation. League Pressure: The draw leaves Sundowns on 65 points, just three ahead of Orlando Pirates—who have a game in hand and a better goal difference—keeping the title fight wide open. Judicial Appointments: A nominating commission is weighing judicial recommendations for governor, signaling fresh movement in state-level leadership. Sports Media Links: In Bissau, the Sports Journalists’ Association of The Gambia’s president Omar Jarju has joined Guinea-Bissau’s social communication minister to inaugurate the Forum of Sports Journalists, boosting regional professional ties.

Regional Security: Nigeria’s Defence Adviser to the UN, Brig.-Gen. Edward Koleoso, says Nigeria spent over $9 billion and also lost officers and men to help liberate Liberia and Sierra Leone during their civil wars—adding that the payoff is today’s peace and stability, including Sierra Leone’s seat on the UN Security Council. Travel & Mobility: Passport rankings keep shifting: Pakistan’s access falls in the latest update, while India’s visa-free list shows another round of changes. Human Rights: An African human rights forum in Banjul urges Sudan to fully cooperate with international probes into alleged chemical weapons use, calling for unrestricted access for investigators. Sports & Culture: Guinea-Bissau’s sports journalists forum is inaugurated in Bissau, while Singapore audiences are captivated by the Kumpo masquerade spirit from the Jola communities. Guinea-Bissau Watch: The transitional government confirms a population census from 1–21 June, after funding delays.

Passport shake-ups: Pakistan’s passport slips in the latest visa-free update, dropping to 30 destinations and slipping to 100th globally—another reminder that travel freedom can change fast with other countries’ rules. India on the move: India also gained attention with a fresh visa-free list, landing at 78th in the same global standings. Sports journalism in focus: In Bissau, the SJAG president joined Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Social Communication to inaugurate the Forum of Sports Journalists, aiming to strengthen regional sports reporting. Human rights pressure: An African human rights forum urged deeper probing into alleged chemical weapons use in Sudan, calling for full cooperation with international investigators. Fisheries data push: Guinea’s fisheries leadership says outdated information is holding the sector back, backing new work to restore governance and livelihoods. Guinea-Bissau census: The country confirms a delayed population and housing census will run for 21 days starting 1 June.