AGP Executive Report

Guinea-Bissau Politics: Opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira remains under house arrest after a military court ordered the measure following renewed questioning over alleged coup plotting, with Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking states calling for his release while Guinea-Bissau’s military rejects the criticism as interference. Health & Cooperation: Guinea-Bissau’s Public Health Minister says China is playing a “relevant” role after a handover of 16 IT computers to strengthen the ministry’s administrative and technical capacity. Energy & Training: Venezuela’s ambassador met Petroguin to discuss South-South cooperation in hydrocarbons, focusing on technician training, knowledge transfer, and future joint projects. Regional Trade & Women’s Rights: ECOWAS is hosting a Lomé event on women’s small-scale cross-border trade, reviewing progress on corridors including Dakar–Banjul–Bissau and tackling barriers faced by women traders. Aviation Deal: United Nigeria Airlines signed an MoU with Guinea-Bissau to relaunch Air Bissau through a joint venture, with the government supporting licensing, traffic rights and airport arrangements. Maritime Security: A US strike on tankers off Oman drew attention to “flags of convenience,” including one vessel flying Guinea-Bissau’s flag. Sports: Guinea-Bissau’s men’s volleyball team finished fourth in CAVB Zone II after losing all matches, while The Gambia qualified for the continental championship in Kinshasa.

Workers’ Rights Watch: A new International Trade Union Confederation report says attacks on workers, unions and collective bargaining are systematically weakening democracy worldwide, and it places Guinea-Bissau on a “watchlist” for rising violations. Opposition Under Pressure: Guinea-Bissau’s opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira remains under house arrest after a military court ordered it following renewed questioning over alleged coup plotting, drawing calls for his release from Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking states. Energy Cooperation: Venezuela’s ambassador met Petroguin to discuss South-South energy cooperation, including training for Guinean technicians and possible joint projects. Health Sector Support: Guinea-Bissau’s health minister says China is playing a “relevant” role after a handover of IT equipment to strengthen the ministry’s administrative and technical capacity. Air Bissau Relaunch: United Nigeria Airlines signed an MoU with Guinea-Bissau to re-establish Air Bissau through a joint venture, with training and operational support planned. Regional Ocean Protection: West African states including Guinea-Bissau backed moves to expand marine protected areas in the Eastern Atlantic, aiming to safeguard fisheries and biodiversity.

Guinea-Bissau Politics: Opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira remains under house arrest after a military court ordered the measure following renewed questioning over alleged coup plotting, with Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking states calling for his release while Bissau’s leadership rejects the criticism as interference. Aviation & Trade: United Nigeria Airlines signed an MoU with Guinea-Bissau to relaunch Air Bissau through a joint venture, with Nigeria expected to provide investment and aircraft while Bissau will handle carrier designation, licensing support, and airport arrangements. Health & Tech Cooperation: Guinea-Bissau’s Public Health Minister says China is playing a “relevant” role after a handover of 16 IT computers to strengthen the ministry’s administrative and technical capacity. Regional Security & Environment: West African states including Guinea-Bissau are pushing for the Eastern Atlantic to be included in the first wave of marine protected areas under the high seas treaty, alongside plans for a joint regional marine protected area. International Shipping Watch: A US strike off Oman that killed Indian sailors also put Guinea-Bissau’s flag on the radar, as one attacked tanker reportedly flew the Guinea-Bissau flag amid concerns about “flags of convenience.”

Guinea-Bissau Politics: Opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira remains under house arrest after a military court ordered the measure following renewed questioning over alleged coup plotting, turning the case into an international flashpoint as Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking states call for his release. Health & China Ties: Guinea-Bissau’s Public Health Minister Quinhin Nantote says China is playing a “relevant” role in strengthening the health sector, citing a handover of 16 IT computers to boost the ministry’s administrative and technical capacity. Energy Cooperation: Venezuela’s ambassador met Petroguin officials to discuss South-South energy cooperation, including training for Guinean technicians and possible joint projects in hydrocarbons. Transport & Aviation: United Nigeria Airlines signed an MoU with Guinea-Bissau to relaunch Air Bissau through a joint venture, with the government backing national-carrier status and support for certification, staffing and airport arrangements. Regional Environment: West African states including Guinea-Bissau are pushing for early protection of the Eastern Atlantic under a high-seas treaty, alongside plans for a joint regional marine protected area.

Guinea-Bissau Politics: Opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira remains under house arrest after a military court ordered the measure following renewed questioning over alleged coup plotting, with Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking states calling for his release while Bissau rejects the criticism as interference. Health & Tech Cooperation: Public Health Minister Quinhin Nantote says China is playing a “relevant” role in strengthening Guinea-Bissau’s health sector after a handover of 16 computers to boost the ministry’s administrative and technical capacity. Energy Diplomacy: Venezuela’s ambassador met Petroguin officials to discuss South-South cooperation in hydrocarbons, including training, knowledge transfer, and future joint projects. Aviation & Connectivity: United Nigeria Airlines signed an MoU with Guinea-Bissau to relaunch Air Bissau as the national carrier through a joint venture, with investment, aircraft, training, and government support for licensing and airport arrangements. Regional Ocean Protection: West African states including Guinea-Bissau backed moves to expand marine protected areas in the Eastern Atlantic, including a joint regional protected zone to safeguard livelihoods and marine resources.

Opposition Under Pressure in Guinea-Bissau: A military court has kept PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira under house arrest after fresh questioning over alleged coup plotting, turning the case into an international flashpoint as Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking states call for his release. National Carrier Deal: Guinea-Bissau signed an MoU with United Nigeria Airlines to relaunch Air Bissau through a joint venture, with Nigeria funding aircraft and know-how while Bissau handles licensing, traffic rights, and support for operations. Health Sector Support: Guinea-Bissau’s public health minister says China is playing a “relevant” role, following a handover of IT equipment to strengthen the ministry’s administrative and technical capacity. Regional Ocean Protection: West African states including Guinea-Bissau backed early marine protected area plans for the Eastern Atlantic, aiming to safeguard a key migration corridor in the Canary–Guinea Currents zone. Shipping Security Concern: A US strike near Oman again highlighted “flags of convenience,” with one vessel reportedly registered under Guinea-Bissau’s flag amid wider scrutiny of maritime compliance.

Guinea-Bissau Politics: Opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira remains under house arrest after a military court ordered the measure renewed over alleged coup plotting, with Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking states calling for his release while Bissau rejects the criticism as interference. Aviation & Trade: United Nigeria Airlines signed an MoU with Guinea-Bissau to relaunch Air Bissau as the national carrier, setting up a joint venture, training and local hiring, and government support for licensing and traffic rights. Health & Technology: Guinea-Bissau’s Public Health Minister says China is playing a “relevant” role after a handover of 16 IT computers to strengthen the ministry’s administrative and technical capacity. Regional Integration: Lomé hosts a two-week ECOWAS event on women’s small-scale cross-border trade, reviewing progress on key corridors including Dakar–Banjul–Bissau. Maritime Security: A US strike in the Gulf of Oman again raised scrutiny after Guinea-Bissau-flagged ships were reportedly among those targeted; meanwhile, Indian crews evacuated from attacks off Oman are returning home safely. Environment & Oceans: West African states push to include the Eastern Atlantic in early marine protected area plans, with Guinea-Bissau among countries backing a joint regional marine protected area.

Transport & Infrastructure: Guinea-Bissau’s President Adama Barrow laid the foundation stone for 85 km of new roads across three Upper River Region districts, including an 11.2 km link in Jimara, aiming to improve access for remote settlements. Regional Trade & Women’s Livelihoods: In Lomé, ECOWAS is hosting a two-week event on women’s small-scale cross-border trade, reviewing progress on key corridors and pushing for more inclusive, secure border trade. Politics & Rights: Opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira remains under house arrest after a military court ordered it following renewed questioning over alleged coup plotting, drawing international calls for his release. Aviation & Connectivity: United Nigeria Airlines signed an MoU with Guinea-Bissau to relaunch Air Bissau through a joint venture, with government support for licensing, airport arrangements and training. Health & Technology: Guinea-Bissau’s health minister praised China’s “relevant” role after a handover of IT equipment to strengthen the Public Health Ministry’s capacity. Ocean Protection: West African states, including Guinea-Bissau, backed early high seas protection plans and a joint regional marine protected area in the Eastern Atlantic.

Opposition Under Pressure in Guinea-Bissau: Nearly seven months after last year’s military coup, opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira remains under house arrest after a military court ordered it following fresh questioning over alleged coup plotting. Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking states are calling for his release, while Guinea-Bissau’s military leadership rejects the criticism as interference in sovereignty. Energy Cooperation: Venezuela’s ambassador met Petroguin officials to review South-South cooperation in oil training, technical capacity and possible joint energy projects. Health Tech Support: Guinea-Bissau’s public health minister says China is playing a “relevant” role, citing a donation of 16 computers to strengthen the ministry’s administrative and technical capacity. Air Bissau Relaunch: United Nigeria Airlines signed an MoU with Guinea-Bissau to re-establish the national carrier Air Bissau through a joint venture, with government support for licensing, traffic rights and airport arrangements. Regional Ocean Protection: West African states, including Guinea-Bissau, pushed for early protection of the Eastern Atlantic under a high-seas treaty, including a joint regional marine protected area.

Energy Diplomacy: Venezuela’s ambassador met Petroguin in Guinea-Bissau to map South-South cooperation in oil training, technical capacity and possible joint energy projects. Health Tech Support: Guinea-Bissau’s Public Health Minister praised China’s “relevant” role as the ministry received 16 IT desktop computers to boost administrative and technical capacity. Air Transport Deal: United Nigeria Airlines signed an MoU with Guinea-Bissau to relaunch Air Bissau through a joint venture, with aircraft, management, pilot and crew training, and government support for licensing and airport arrangements. Regional Ocean Protection: West African states pushed to include the Eastern Atlantic in the first marine protected areas under a high-seas treaty, with Guinea-Bissau among countries announcing a joint regional marine protected area. Global Justice Watch: A UN-backed court in the Central African Republic opened the in-absentia trial of former president François Bozizé over alleged crimes against humanity, while he remains in exile in Guinea-Bissau.

Air Transport Deal: United Nigeria Airlines signed an MoU with Guinea-Bissau to relaunch the national carrier, Air Bissau, via a joint venture—Nigeria is set to bring most investment, aircraft and management, while Guinea-Bissau will designate Air Bissau as the official carrier and support licensing, airport and security arrangements at Bissau. Marine Protection: West African states are pushing to include the Eastern Atlantic—linking the Canary and Guinea Currents—in the first wave of marine protected areas, with Guinea-Bissau among countries announcing a joint regional protected area. Regional Health Funding: A $14.26m West African health systems strengthening grant was approved for seven ECOWAS countries, including Guinea-Bissau, to boost emergency preparedness, disease surveillance and cross-border “One Health” lab work. Trade Rules Update: WAEMU aligned its approved originating goods list with HS 2022 to improve origin determination and customs risk management, supporting more accurate revenue collection. Global Justice Watch: A UN-backed court in the Central African Republic opened the trial of former president François Bozizé in absentia over crimes against humanity, with Bozizé living in exile in Guinea-Bissau.

Apple Distribution Expansion: Cyprus-based Asbis says its Middle East unit has activated a new Apple distribution deal covering multiple African markets, including Guinea-Bissau, with first shipments already sent. Trade & Customs Reform: WAEMU has aligned its approved-origin rules with HS 2022, aiming to improve origin determination, cut misapplication, and strengthen customs risk checks. Regional Health Boost: A new $14.26m West African health systems grant approved by the AfDB will support Guinea-Bissau alongside six neighbors, including cross-border “One Health” lab work in Togo. Shipping & Safety: India reports all 20 Indian crew from the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer have safely returned home after evacuation from Oman. Aviation Deal for Guinea-Bissau: Guinea-Bissau signed an MoU with Nigeria’s United Nigeria Airlines to explore launching a national carrier, Air Bissau, using Osvaldo Vieira International Airport as a hub. Justice in the Region: A UN-backed court in the Central African Republic opened the in-absentia trial of former president François Bozizé over alleged crimes against humanity.

Guinea-Bissau Aviation: Guinea-Bissau has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria’s United Nigeria Airlines to explore a national carrier, “Air Bissau,” with Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau as the hub, aiming to boost connectivity and cut reliance on foreign airlines. Central African Justice: In Bangui, a UN-backed court has opened the trial of former Central African Republic president François Bozizé in absentia over alleged crimes against humanity and war abuses committed by his security forces between 2009 and 2013; Bozizé has been living in exile in Guinea-Bissau since 2023, while three senior officers face trial. Gulf Shipping Safety: Indian officials say all 20 crew members of the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer have been safely repatriated after attacks off Oman; the incident adds to wider tensions over repeated strikes on commercial ships in the region. Regional Reparations Push: Ghana is set to host a June 17–19 conference on reparatory justice in Accra, with plans to set up global bodies to drive reparations and restitution of cultural artefacts.

Maritime Safety and Diplomacy: India says all 20 Indian crew members evacuated from the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer off Oman have safely returned home, after repeated Gulf incidents involving US military action raised fresh protests from New Delhi. Gulf Shipping Tensions: The wider crisis continues to disrupt commercial routes around Hormuz, with India also reporting a separate Oman incident where 14 crew were rescued after an engine failure on Virat 1. Justice in the Region: A UN-backed court in the Central African Republic has begun the in-absentia trial of former president François Bozizé over alleged crimes against humanity and war abuses from 2009–2013; Bozizé is reported to be living in exile in Guinea-Bissau. Aviation for Guinea-Bissau: Guinea-Bissau signed an MoU with Nigeria’s United Nigeria Airlines to explore launching a national carrier, AIR BISSAU, aimed at boosting connectivity. Economy Watch: The World Bank warns Sub-Saharan Africa growth will slow in 2026 as energy shocks bite, even as reforms and trade access support a modest recovery later. Drug Trafficking Shift: Reports highlight Mexican cartel-linked networks increasingly setting up synthetic drug production in parts of Africa, following major meth lab seizures in Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.

Reparatory Justice Push: Ghana will host a high-level reparatory justice conference in Accra from June 17-19, where foreign affairs minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says participants will set up three global bodies to drive reparations and the return of cultural artefacts, building on UN Resolution A/RES/80/250 that calls trafficking and enslavement of Africans a crime against humanity. Central African Accountability: In Bangui, a UN-backed Special Criminal Court has opened the in-absentia trial of former CAR president François Bozizé over alleged crimes against humanity and war abuses from 2009-2013; Amnesty says the process is weakened by his absence, while prosecutors link abuses to his security forces. Gulf Shipping Safety: India says all 20 crew members of the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MT Jalveer have been safely repatriated after attacks off Oman, as New Delhi continues to protest repeated US strikes on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Aviation Deal for Guinea-Bissau: Guinea-Bissau has signed an MoU with Nigeria’s United Nigeria Airlines to explore a national carrier, AIR BISSAU, with Osvaldo Vieira International Airport as a hub. West Africa Cyber Boost: Nigeria won the $10,000 grand prize at ECOWAS’s 4th regional cybersecurity hackathon in Accra, with teams tackling ransomware, phishing, fraud and threats to critical infrastructure.

Maritime Rescue Update: All 20 Indian crew members of the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer, evacuated after an attack off Oman, have safely returned home, with India’s ambassador in Muscat meeting them ahead of repatriation. Gulf Tensions: The Jalveer case is part of a wider dispute over US strikes near Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, with India protesting “lethal” actions against commercial shipping and the US warning that blockade violations “will not be tolerated.” Aviation for Guinea-Bissau: Guinea-Bissau signed an MoU with Nigeria’s United Nigeria Airlines to explore launching a national carrier, AIR BISSAU, with Osvaldo Vieira International Airport as a hub. Trade & Agriculture: China expanded market access for African cashew nuts by allowing exports that meet a unified inspection and quarantine standard. Digital Security: Nigeria won the ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026, with Guinea-Bissau among participating countries.