AGP Executive Report

Immigration & Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to revive Trump’s “third-country” deportations after a federal appeals court order forced a flight cancellation, raising fresh legal fights over notice and migrants’ chance to contest harm risks—amid reports of deportees sent to Equatorial Guinea facing alleged abuse. AFCON 2027 (Regional Football): DR Congo opened Group E with a 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in Kinshasa, while Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe traded drama in the same group; Leone Stars have since regrouped in Yaoundé ahead of their crucial qualifier vs Equatorial Guinea. Citizenship Policy: Spain says Equatorial Guinea is the only African country eligible for Spanish citizenship after just two years of legal residency, far shorter than the usual 10-year wait. CEMAC Economy: BEAC raised weekly liquidity to a record CFA850 billion after strong bank demand across the six-country bloc, including Equatorial Guinea. Training & Skills: Akacenter and the Martínez Abolafio Foundation signed a deal to expand training in Equatorial Guinea with books, computers, and online courses.

Cameroon–Nigeria Border: Nearly 24 years after the ICJ ruling, Nigeria and Cameroon say physical demarcation is close to finishing, with remaining work focused on the Adamawa sector and about 260 boundary pillars—after which attention will shift to people affected by the boundary. AFCON Qualifiers (Equatorial Guinea): DR Congo opened Group E with a 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in Kinshasa, while Sierra Leone also won in the group—setting up a tense early race for control. Sports (Leone Stars): Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars arrived in Yaoundé ahead of their crucial Group E clash with Equatorial Guinea after a dramatic 3-2 loss to Zimbabwe, with recovery sessions underway. Training in Equatorial Guinea: Akacenter and the Martínez Abolafio Foundation signed a deal to expand training in Equatorial Guinea, including books, computer equipment, and access to online courses. CEMAC Liquidity: BEAC raised weekly liquidity to a record CFA850 billion after strong bank demand across the six-country bloc, including Equatorial Guinea. Data Governance: Africa’s data protection chief called for stronger coordination among regulators to rein in the growing power of global tech platforms.

UN Deportation Showdown: The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to keep allowing “third-country” deportations, after lower courts ruled migrants must get notice and a meaningful chance to challenge removals—sparking cancelled flights and renewed legal fights. AFCON Qualifiers (Equatorial Guinea in focus): DR Congo beat Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in Kinshasa as Yoane Wissa scored; Sierra Leone also lost 3-2 to Zimbabwe, leaving Group E tight. CEMAC Banking Update: BEAC raised weekly liquidity to a record CFA850 billion after strong demand across the CEMAC region, including Equatorial Guinea. Local Education & Skills: The Martínez Abolafio Foundation and Akacenter signed an agreement to expand training in Equatorial Guinea with books, computers, and online courses. Data Governance Push: Equatorial Guinea’s regional regulators were echoed in calls for stronger African coordination on data and AI power, beyond basic privacy rules. Sports & Exams: NECO released Nigeria’s 2026 SSCE Internal results (58.67% five-credits+ including English and Maths), while Leone Stars continued AFCON preparations in Yaoundé ahead of their next match vs Equatorial Guinea.

Data & Tech Regulation: Equatorial Guinea’s Data Protection Commission boss Dr Arnold Kavaarpuo urged African regulators to coordinate more closely as global tech and AI power concentrates across communications, cloud, digital identity, payments and markets. Education Results: Nigeria’s NECO released 2026 SSCE Internal results: 1,371,992 sat; 84.70% scored five credits and above (any subjects), while 58.67% hit five credits including English and Mathematics; malpractice cases fell 64.74% to 1,406. Regional Finance: BEAC raised weekly liquidity to a record CFA850 billion after strong bank demand across CEMAC, including Equatorial Guinea. Sports—AFCON Qualifiers: DR Congo beat Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in AFCON qualifying; Leone Stars also returned to training after a 3-2 loss to Zimbabwe, ahead of their next match. Training in Equatorial Guinea: Akacenter and the Martínez Abolafio Foundation signed a deal to expand skills training in Equatorial Guinea with books, computers and online courses. Diplomacy: Vice President Teodoro N. Obiang Mangue is confirmed to attend IFAL 2026 in New York during UN General Assembly week.

Equatorial Guinea in the spotlight: A new training partnership is set to boost skills at home as Akacenter and the Martínez Abolafio Foundation sign an agreement to deliver books, computers, and online courses in Equatorial Guinea, with plans for tailored training including first aid and digital skills. AFCON 2027 build-up: Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars returned to training in Yaoundé after a dramatic 3-2 loss to Zimbabwe, with fitness and recovery work ongoing ahead of a crucial qualifier against Equatorial Guinea. Regional football headlines: DR Congo opened AFCON qualifying with a 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in Kinshasa, with Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa scoring as the group race tightens. Education results: Nigeria’s NECO released 2026 SSCE Internal results, showing a 58.67% pass rate for five credits including English and Mathematics, alongside a sharp drop in malpractice. Global politics with local echoes: The UN General Assembly saw a mass walkout during Netanyahu’s speech, while the US Supreme Court fight over “third-country” deportations continues—an issue that has already involved Equatorial Guinea in recent reporting.

UN Diplomacy & Human Dignity: Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai used the UN General Assembly podium to demand Africa a permanent Security Council voice—while critics point to Liberia’s recent deal to host up to 1,200 US “third-country” deportees, raising fresh questions about human rights and due process. US Deportations Legal Battle: The Trump administration has rushed back to the US Supreme Court seeking to keep fast third-country deportations running, after lower courts required migrants be given notice and a meaningful chance to contest removal—sparking claims of chaos and allegations of abuse tied to some transfers to Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial Guinea in the Spotlight: Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President Teodoro N. Obiang Mangue is confirmed to attend IFAL 2026 in New York, while a separate UN-linked story highlights diaspora engagement with Malabo’s UN mission. Education Update: Nigeria’s NECO released the 2026 SSCE Internal results, with 58.67% scoring at least five credits including English and Mathematics, and malpractice down sharply. Sports—AFCON Qualifiers: Ivory Coast beat Ghana 2-0 in AFCON qualifying as the region’s qualifiers kick off, with Equatorial Guinea listed among teams in the broader match schedule. Chess for Learning: Education leaders at the FIDE Chess Olympiad say chess can build skills for business, tech, tourism and science.

US Deportation Fight: The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to keep fast “third-country” deportations going, arguing migrants should be removed quickly even after lower courts said people must get a chance to object. Equatorial Guinea Link: The policy has already sent thousands to countries including Equatorial Guinea, where lawyers say deportees have faced beatings and detention conditions. UNGA Protest: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu faced a mass walkout at the UN General Assembly as diplomats left during his address, with Israel citing 77 absent delegations. Malabo in the Spotlight: Vice President Teodoro N. Obiang Mangue is confirmed to attend IFAL 2026 in New York during UN General Assembly week. Education Update: Nigeria’s NECO released 2026 SSCE Internal results, with 58.67% scoring five credits including English and Mathematics, and malpractice cases down sharply. Football Focus: AFCON 2027 qualifiers kick off, with Equatorial Guinea set to play DR Congo in the opening round.

Agriculture Budget Accountability: Nigeria’s smallholder women farmers say funding is still far below the 10% Malabo/Maputo target, despite agriculture allocations rising from about N228.4bn (2023) to N362.94bn (2024) and N826.5bn proposed for 2025—only ~1.05%, 1.32% and 1.7% of federal budgets—while insecurity, weak extension, land and input barriers keep women from getting services and mechanisation. AFCON 2027 Focus for Equatorial Guinea: The 2027 qualifiers kick off Thursday with DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea among the opening fixtures, as Group E also includes Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe—teams step up camp preparations for the first competitive test. Data Governance: Ghana’s Data Protection Commission chief calls for stronger pan-African regulator coordination to rein in big tech and AI power, arguing privacy rules alone can’t manage who controls and profits from data. Energy Deals and Regional Integration: In the Niger Delta, planners say “blue, green and rail” bonds could be floated after the recent economic summit, while CEMAC central banks push payment reforms to cut cross-border costs. Human Rights Alarm: Reports say US deportees sent to Equatorial Guinea have faced harsh conditions, with two men allegedly arrested after speaking out—renewing calls for accountability.

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Ghana’s Black Stars kick off their campaign Thursday, hosting Ivory Coast in Bouaké, but face a major squad hit with captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo all withdrawing as newly reappointed coach Carlos Queiroz looks to avoid a shaky start. Regional Football Fixtures: The opening round is set across Sept. 24–26, including DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea, with Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana the headline match. Data & Tech Governance: Equatorial Guinea’s neighbors are watching as Ghana’s Data Protection boss Dr Arnold Kavaarpuo urges stronger pan-African regulator coordination to rein in the growing power of big tech and AI platforms. Energy & Investment: Africa Energy Week returns Oct. 12–16 in Cape Town, pushing energy security and deal-making as the continent struggles with energy poverty. US Deportations to Equatorial Guinea: Rights groups report two US deportees sent to Equatorial Guinea were arrested after speaking out about alleged abuses in Malabo, renewing scrutiny of “third-country” deportation deals. CEMAC Payments Reform: BEAC is expanding cross-border payment infrastructure across CEMAC, including links to continental systems like PAPSS. Maritime Security: Nigeria’s Navy says it will use technology and regional cooperation to curb arms and drug smuggling in the Gulf of Guinea.

Deportation Fallout in Malabo: Two men deported from the US to Equatorial Guinea—Eritrean Samson Birhane and Egyptian Ahmed Soliman—were allegedly arrested on Sept. 11 at Hotel Bamy in Malabo and transferred to prison, with Amnesty and lawyers saying they were targeted after speaking out about conditions and that they faced beatings and abuse. US-Third-Country Deals Under Fire: A wider investigation and court rulings continue to challenge Washington’s “third-country” deportation system, with reports that thousands—including people sent to Equatorial Guinea—were moved under deals struck with African governments. AFCON 2027 Focus for the Region: Round one qualifiers kick off this week, including DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea on Sept. 24, while Sierra Leone prepares to open against Zimbabwe and Ghana hosts Côte d’Ivoire in a key West African derby. CEMAC Payments Push: BEAC is expanding cross-border payment infrastructure across the CEMAC region, including links to continental systems like PAPSS, as central banks meet in Nairobi. Aviation Costs Bite: African airlines face squeezed profits as taxes, levies and passenger charges rise, with IATA warning governments are treating aviation mainly as revenue.

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Sierra Leone): Leone Stars held a unity-focused team meeting in Morocco after their first official training session, with coach Didier Gomez Da Roza urging discipline and collective responsibility ahead of Thursday’s Group E opener vs Zimbabwe in El Jadida. AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Fixtures): Round one kicks off 24–26 September with DR Congo hosting Equatorial Guinea on 24 September and Sierra Leone also facing Zimbabwe the same day, as CAF confirms group qualification for the top two. Sports Funding (Sierra Leone): Sierra Leone’s FA says the Leone Stars’ four qualifiers will cost nearly $2m, with “home” matches staged in Morocco due to stadium limits. US–Equatorial Guinea Deportations: Rights groups report two men deported from the US to Equatorial Guinea—Ahmed Soliman and Samson Birhane—were arrested after speaking out, allegedly beaten and transferred to a police station in Malabo, renewing scrutiny of the $7.5m third-country deal. Aviation Costs: IATA warns African airlines are squeezed by high taxes, levies and passenger charges, with rising costs undermining profits and expansion. Energy/Business: Transocean secured an $80m deepwater drilling contract in Equatorial Guinea, while African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town is set to push investment deals.

Deportation Fallout in Malabo: Two men deported from the U.S. to Equatorial Guinea—Egypt’s Ahmed Soliman and Eritrea’s Samson Birhane—were allegedly arrested after speaking out about conditions at Hotel Bamy, then beaten and transferred to a police station, prompting Amnesty and lawyers to call it retaliation and abuse. US Policy Under Court Scrutiny: A U.S. appeals court largely upheld a ruling blocking Trump’s rapid “third-country” deportations unless migrants get effective notice and a real chance to raise persecution or torture fears. Third-Country Deals Exposed: A major investigation says Washington has approached dozens of African states and pledged at least $410 million for agreements sending thousands to countries they have no ties to, with Equatorial Guinea among the destinations. Energy & Investment Watch: Transocean secured an about $80 million deepwater drilling contract in Equatorial Guinea, while regional energy talks in Africa push for deals and execution. Maritime Security: Nigeria’s navy says it will use technology and stronger cooperation to curb illicit arms and drug smuggling across the Gulf of Guinea.

US–Equatorial Guinea Deportation Fallout: Lawyers and rights groups say two men deported from the US to Equatorial Guinea were hooded, beaten and pushed down stairs at a Malabo hotel used as a detention site, with phones allegedly demanded during the assault; Amnesty says the men were targeted after raising concerns, as the wider “third-country” deportation deals face fresh legal and human-rights scrutiny. Court Challenge to Rapid Third-Country Deportations: A US appeals court largely upheld a ruling blocking DHS from rapidly sending migrants to unfamiliar third countries without effective notice and a meaningful chance to raise persecution or torture fears, with the case likely headed higher. Third-Country Deals Under the Spotlight: A major investigation reports the Trump administration has sent thousands to countries including Equatorial Guinea under agreements involving millions in payments, while other reports describe the program’s human cost and internal staff alarm. Sports—Leone Stars Budget: Sierra Leone’s FA says AFCON qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea will cost close to $2m, with “home” matches staged in Morocco due to stadium limits. Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea: Nigeria’s Navy says it will boost technology and coordination to tackle illicit drugs and arms smuggling on waterways, discussed at a Lagos symposium attended by officers from about 25 countries.

Deportation Abuse in Malabo: Two men deported from the US to Equatorial Guinea—Egypt’s Ahmed Soliman and Eritrea’s Samson Birhane—were allegedly hooded, bound, beaten with guns and shoved down stairs at Hotel Bamy, then moved to a Malabo police station with lawyers saying they can’t contact them. Rights Pressure on Equatorial Guinea: Amnesty International and other groups warn the men face torture risk and say police acted in retaliation after Soliman spoke out about violence and conditions at the hotel prison. US Court Pushback: In the US, a federal appeals court largely blocked Trump-era “third-country” deportations unless migrants get meaningful notice and a real chance to raise fears of persecution or torture—setting up likely further legal fights. US-Equatorial Guinea Links: Reports say White House adviser Stephen Miller spoke by phone with Equatorial Guinea’s vice president on the same day the beatings were carried out, adding to scrutiny of the deal. Oilfield Contract: Transocean says it won an about $80m deepwater drilling contract in Equatorial Guinea, boosting its backlog and next-year operations.

US Deportations to Equatorial Guinea: Lawyers and rights groups say two men deported from the US to Equatorial Guinea were arbitrarily arrested in Malabo, with police allegedly bagging their heads, beating them and holding them at gunpoint in a hotel-turned detention site; Reuters adds one detainee, Ahmed Soliman, has been held for a week at a gendarmerie station without access to attorneys, while Amnesty warns the pair face torture risk. Online Crackdown in Malabo: AFP reports Facebook and TikTok have been blocked in Equatorial Guinea for over two weeks, with speeds restricted since Sept. 2 after a video accused Vice President Teodorin of corruption and the poster was arrested. Court Fight Over Deportation Rules: A US appeals court largely upheld a ruling blocking rapid “third-country” deportations unless migrants get meaningful notice and a chance to raise persecution or torture fears—an outcome that could shape future removals involving Equatorial Guinea. Energy Contract for Equatorial Guinea: Transocean says it won an about $80m ultra-deepwater drilling contract in Equatorial Guinea for a 170-day campaign starting next year.

Deportation Abuse in Malabo: Lawyers and rights groups say two men deported from the U.S. to Equatorial Guinea—Egypt’s Ahmed Soliman and Eritrea’s Samson Birhane—were arbitrarily arrested after police covered their heads with bags, beat them and held them at gunpoint in a hotel-turned-detention site near Malabo; they were later moved to a police station and have struggled to access legal help. U.S. Court Pushback on “Third-Country” Deportations: A U.S. appeals court ruled the Trump administration’s rapid third-country removal process is unlawful unless people get meaningful notice and a chance to raise fears of persecution or torture—an outcome likely to shape how deportations involving Equatorial Guinea proceed. Human Rights Alarm: Amnesty International warns the two men face a risk of torture in detention and says authorities detained them in retaliation for speaking out. Digital Crackdown: AFP reports Facebook and TikTok have been blocked in Equatorial Guinea for weeks after a video accusing Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang of corruption circulated, with internet speeds restricted since Sept. 2.