AGP Executive Report

CAN 2027 Qualifiers: South Africa kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 home win over Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena, with Ime Okon scoring first and Seydouba Cissé equalising before Samukele Kabini struck late to seal the points; coach Pitso Mosimane said the team pressed well but must improve finishing. FIFA Rankings: The win lifted Bafana Bafana up the FIFA rankings to 52nd after moving past Guinea. Guinea Politics: Former Guinean Prime Minister and opposition leader Sidya Toure died in Paris at 81, after years leading the UFR opposition from exile following the 2021 coup and a crackdown that dissolved major parties in March. National Unity: President Mamadi Doumbouya returned from the UN General Assembly and urged Guineans to maintain unity and cohesion.

AFCON Qualifier Focus: South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane begins his second Bafana Bafana spell with a home opener against Guinea, but the build-up is hit by injuries—defender Nkosinathi Sibisi is ruled out after a training knock, while Lebohang Maboe is also out—leaving Mosimane to reshuffle central defence and weigh formations ahead of kick-off at Orlando Amstel Arena. Guinea Mind Games: Guinea coach Paulo Duarte skipped the mandatory pre-match press conference, saying he was sick, but later led training, raising CAF media-protocol questions. Match Logistics: Johannesburg authorities plan road closures around Soweto for the Bafana–Guinea fixture, urging fans to plan routes early. Agrifood Investment: During UNGA in New York, Guinea joined 10 African countries pledging nearly US$9m to IFAD to boost rural transformation and food security. Maritime Security: Ghana hosted a regional conference on Gulf of Guinea maritime security, with emphasis on women’s leadership and stronger cooperation.

AFCON Qualifier Focus: South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane says he wants “silverware” as Bafana Bafana begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Guinea in Soweto, but injuries are already biting—defender Nkosinathi Sibisi is ruled out and central defence depth is under pressure. Guinea Under Scrutiny: Guinea coach Paulo Duarte has sparked controversy by skipping a mandatory pre-match press conference, raising speculation and possible CAF media-protocol charges. Match Build-Up: Guinea’s attack is expected to revolve around Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, while Bafana are preparing to counter his aerial threat. UN Security Council Push: Nigeria’s Tinubu, via VP Kashim Shettima, renewed calls for UN Security Council reform—two permanent African seats with veto rights and five non-permanent seats—arguing the 1945 power structure no longer fits 2026 realities. Regional Connectivity: Liberia’s telecom regulator urged Mano River Union states, including Guinea, to coordinate cross-border digital integration to expand affordable regional connectivity.

AFCON Qualifiers Kickoff: South Africa’s Bafana Bafana begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with a home Group D opener against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, with coach Pitso Mosimane returning for a second spell and promising a serious test after injuries to key players. Guinea Threat Focus: Mosimane says Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy is the main danger, citing his aerial power and recent scoring form, while noting Guinea’s squad includes players in Europe and the Middle East. UN Security Council Reform: Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, speaking at the UN General Assembly, renewed calls for Security Council reform—at least two permanent African seats with veto rights and five non-permanent seats—arguing the world of 2026 can’t be governed by a 1945 power setup. Ebola Strain in DR Congo: The WHO warns DR Congo is short of health workers to staff Ebola treatment centres as cases rise in parts of the east, even as some areas show improvement. Critical Minerals Push: A UN mechanism to help resource-rich developing countries build mineral value chains has named Guinea among initial participants, alongside Zambia, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

UN Minerals Push for Jobs: The UN launched a Country Support Mechanism on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, naming Guinea among the first six beneficiaries (with Nigeria, Indonesia, Madagascar, Zambia and Zimbabwe) to help turn raw mineral wealth into local value chains, jobs and industrial capacity. Ebola Crisis in Congo: WHO warned DR Congo is short of health workers to run Ebola treatment centres, especially in North Kivu where cases surged 73% in three weeks, even as some provinces show improvement. AFCON Qualifier Focus (South Africa vs Guinea): South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane says Bafana can handle Guinea’s overseas stars, with Saturday’s Group D opener at Orlando Amstel Arena drawing major attention ahead of the 2027 qualifiers. Broadcast Backlash: SuperSport faced subscriber anger after it was reported to miss out on CAF AFCON 2027 qualifier rights, leaving fans frustrated at limited access to African football. Guinea at the UN: President Mamadi Doumbouya used the UN General Assembly to stress self-reliance, saying Guinea financed its elections and built over 1,000 km of roads.

AFCON Qualifiers (Guinea focus): South Africa’s Bafana Bafana host Guinea in a key AFCON qualifier on Saturday, 26 September (18:00), with Pitso Mosimane’s new-look squad set to be tested immediately; a predicted XI includes Williams, Sebelebele, Makhanya, Okon, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Appollis, Mofokeng, Maseko and Rayners. Minerals for jobs (Guinea included): UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced a Country Support Mechanism on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, with Guinea among the first six countries to get help building mineral value chains so they benefit from copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earths. Ebola (regional health pressure): WHO warns the DRC’s Ebola outbreak is still not under control, with North Kivu cases up 73% over three weeks and a shortage of health workers even as Ituri shows improvement. SME finance (Guinea among 14 countries): ITC and Access Bank launched a three-year partnership to expand financing, skills and market access for SMEs across 14 African countries, starting with a Ghana pilot and including Guinea. Electricity access (Guinea data point): Afrobarometer reports fewer than one in 10 people in Guinea (7%) have reliable grid electricity, pushing many toward alternatives like solar.

Guinea–UN Minerals Value Push: The UN has selected Guinea among six countries (with Indonesia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Nigeria) for a new support mechanism aimed at helping nations extract more value from critical minerals instead of staying stuck exporting raw materials. Guinea–Simandou Rail Deal: Wabtec says its services contract tied to Guinea’s Simandou iron ore railway now tops $1.2 billion, covering maintenance, training and logistics for locomotives moving ore to Port of Morebaya. Guinea–Football Focus: South Africa’s Bafana Bafana begin the Mosimane era with AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Guinea, with squad changes driven by injuries and form. Guinea–Security & Crime: Police report a family escape after shots were fired at a home in Guinea Grass Village, with two suspects detained. Regional Health Watch: WHO warns Ebola in eastern DR Congo remains uncontrolled, with health-worker shortages and rising cases in North Kivu. Digital Cooperation: Mano River Union leaders call for stronger regional coordination to tackle cross-border cyber threats and build a more secure digital future.

Guinea Grass violence: A neighborhood dispute in Guinea Grass turned into gunfire, with police detaining a village resident after he allegedly fired two shotgun blasts toward a home; no injuries were reported and the investigation continues. Simandou rail push: Wabtec signed a $700m-plus long-term services deal with La Compagnie du TransGuinéen to support locomotives on Guinea’s Simandou rail line, extending agreements beyond delivery and boosting maintenance, parts and training. AFCON qualifiers spotlight: South Africa’s Bafana Bafana open their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Guinea at Orlando Stadium, with kick-off set for 15:00; the build-up also includes squad changes after Lebohang Maboe’s ankle injury, bringing in Tshepang Moremi. Politics and travel rights: Exiled Guinean opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo says his passport was revoked, blocking his planned trip to the UN General Assembly in New York. Media crackdown: Guinea’s regulator has warned France 24 over remarks about President Mamadi Doumbouya and moved to ban the outlet from broadcasting.

Guinea-Related Politics: Exiled Guinean opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo says his passport was revoked, blocking him from attending the UN General Assembly in New York, amid the dissolution of his UFDG party by President Mamady Doumbouya. Ebola Watch (DR Congo): The WHO says an Ebola vaccine trial has started in Ituri, with 20,000 Ervebo doses allocated for research while the outbreak response continues amid insecurity and humanitarian strain. Sports (South Africa vs Guinea): South Africa’s Bafana Bafana face Guinea in AFCON qualifiers as coach Pitso Mosimane reshuffles his squad after Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe was withdrawn with an ankle injury; Orlando Pirates winger Tshepang Moremi is called up, while Mosimane says he won’t rush Maboe back and is also defending selections including Themba Zwane. Guinea Economy/Infrastructure: Wabtec signed a $700m+ rail services deal with La Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) to support locomotives for the Simandou iron-ore corridor, highlighting workforce training and local partnerships. Regional Trade/Development: Globe 24-7 and Trust Africa launched Globe Trust 24-7 to boost mining recruitment and workforce solutions across Guinea and West Africa.

Simandou to China: Rio Tinto says high-grade Simandou iron ore cargoes are now reaching Chinese mills as commercial shipments, marking a major step from project to producer for Guinea’s long-awaited mine. Bafana AFCON build-up: South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane has started shaping his 2027 AFCON qualifier squad for matches vs Guinea and Eritrea, naming goalkeeper coach Marcus Mashilo and stressing no player is “entitled” to a spot; Lebohang Maboe joins camp but will have an ankle scan. Ebola vaccine push in the region: WHO reports 20,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine allocated for a research trial in DR Congo’s Ituri province, as authorities try to protect frontline health workers amid a fast-moving outbreak. Guinea sports and society links: Kenya will host the Africa Boxing Championships next month, with Guinea among confirmed participants. Local Guinea legal case: In Coyah, flooding has devastated a school, affecting 269 people. Cross-border crime: Police in Kono say 23 foreigners were rescued from suspected QNET-linked operations.

Guinea Flood Response: Heavy rains hit Coyah and Manéah, affecting 269 people; a primary school in Batouya lost archives and teaching materials, threatening the start of the school year. Public Service Recruitment: Guinea opens the first wave of its 2026-2027 recruitment plan with 7,197 positions available this Monday—6,000 teachers, 500 teacher-researchers, and 697 specialist doctors—covering education and health needs through 2027. Media Crackdown: Guinea’s regulator warns and bans France 24 over remarks about President Mamadi Doumbouya, tightening pressure on foreign coverage. Ebola Watch (DR Congo): In the DRC, Ebola vaccination begins for frontline workers in Ituri using 20,000 Ervebo doses as deaths and infections continue to rise. Sports (Regional): Guinea’s U-17 team beats Liberia 2-0 in the WAFU Zone A third-place playoff to secure AFCON U-17 qualification. International Football (South Africa): Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana camp begins ahead of AFCON qualifiers vs Guinea, with squad decisions and injuries under review.

Guinea Plastic Crackdown: Guinea starts enforcing a nationwide ban on single-use plastics, including shopping bags, water sachets, straws, cups and polystyrene containers, with border and market controls and penalties for repeat offenders. Doumbouya Justice Stance: President Mamadi Doumbouya confirms former PM Ibrahima Kassory Fofana and ex-parliament speaker Amadou Damaro Camara were medically evacuated abroad, while stressing their convictions still stand and ruling out any pardon. Media Freedom Under Pressure: Guinea bans France 24 nationwide, revoking its broadcasting authorisation and staff accreditations after the outlet used what regulators called offensive language about the president. Regional Health Alert: Congo begins Ebola vaccination for front-line workers in Bunia and Mongbwalu, targeting 20,000 people over months as cases and deaths rise. Sports—AFCON Qualifiers: South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane says Lyle Foster misses the first squad due to lack of regular playing time as Bafana prepare to open qualifiers against Guinea.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea’s communications regulator has banned France 24 nationwide, revoked its broadcasting authorisation and stripped staff accreditations after the channel used what it called offensive language about President Mamadi Doumbouya, ordering technical blocking of all digital access points. Ebola Response in the Region: The Democratic Republic of Congo has started vaccinating front-line healthcare workers in Bunia and Mongbwalu, using the Ervebo vaccine under a compassionate-use programme as the Bundibugyo outbreak spreads amid insecurity and health-worker strikes. Bafana Bafana vs Guinea: South Africa’s new coach Pitso Mosimane says he omitted Lyle Foster from the first AFCON qualifiers squad because the striker hasn’t had regular game time, while the team prepares to host Guinea at Orlando Stadium. US Immigration Case Linked to Guinea: A rideshare driver from Guinea, Abdoulaye Dia, has been charged in Maryland with kidnapping and raping a 17-year-old, with police warning there may be other victims.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea has banned France 24 nationwide, revoking its broadcast licence and correspondent accreditation after the channel called President Mamadi Doumbouya a “coup leader,” prompting a regulator warning and an apology that still failed to satisfy authorities. Ebola Response in Congo: Congo has started vaccinating healthcare workers in Bunia, targeting front-line staff in Ituri’s hardest-hit zones with the Ervebo vaccine while trials continue for the current Bundibugyo outbreak; officials report 7,541 confirmed cases and 3,639 deaths. West Africa Disease Readiness: Scientists in Togo urged stronger regional outbreak detection, warning that weakening health systems and dependence on external vaccines leave countries unprepared for the next epidemic. Guinea Link in US Case: A rideshare driver accused of kidnapping and raping an underage girl in Maryland has been identified as an illegal immigrant from Guinea, with authorities warning there may be other victims. Sports—Bafana Bafana vs Guinea: South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane named a 30-man squad for AFCON qualifiers including Orlando Pirates players, with debate over selections as the team prepares to host Guinea.

Media Freedom in Guinea: Guinea’s regulator has banned France 24 nationwide, revoked the outlet’s broadcasting authorisation and pulled accreditations after a presenter used “putschist”/derogatory language about President Mamadi Doumbouya; France 24 says it corrected and apologized, while the Committee to Protect Journalists urges Guinea to reverse the ban and reinstate Jeune Afrique’s correspondent. Ebola Response in the Region: Congo has started vaccinating healthcare workers in Bunia, Ituri—the epicentre of the fast-growing Ebola outbreak—targeting 20,000 front-line workers over months as cases and deaths continue to rise. Public Health Readiness: West African lab scientists meeting in Lome warn that weakening health systems and dependence on Western vaccines leave the region exposed, urging stronger disease detection and diagnostic capacity after Ebola and COVID-19 lessons. Conakry Trade & Logistics: Conakry Terminal (AGL/MSC) says it aims to handle over 1 million containers annually by 2029-2030, citing rapid growth, congestion pressures, and major investments including equipment upgrades and the Kagbélén dry port. Guinea in the Spotlight Abroad: A Guinea-linked migrant case in the US has drawn attention after an illegal rideshare driver accused of raping a teenage girl in Maryland was also reported to have prior sex-abuse charges in New York. Sports (Guinea-linked): Bafana Bafana’s AFCON qualifier squads include players set to face Guinea, with Guinea also at the centre of the latest Guinea-related media and football coverage.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea has banned France 24 nationwide and revoked the accreditation of its correspondents after a presenter called President Mamadi Doumbouya a “putschist,” prompting international press-freedom pressure including a call from the Committee to Protect Journalists to reverse the decision and reinstate Jeune Afrique’s Guinea correspondent Diawo Barry. Conakry Port Growth: Conakry Terminal targets more than 1 million containers annually by 2029-2030, citing rising demand, congestion relief efforts, and major investments including equipment upgrades and the Kagbélén dry port. Ebola Preparedness Warning: West African scientists meeting in Lomé warn that weakening health systems and dependence on external vaccines leave the region exposed, urging stronger outbreak detection and diagnostics, lessons drawn from Ebola’s impact across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Health Financing Push: The UN Economic Commission for Africa and Yemi Osinbajo are advancing a drive for sustainable domestic health funding, aiming to reduce reliance on shrinking aid and ease fiscal pressure. Guinea in Regional Diplomacy: Guinea’s new envoy is among those accredited to Zambia, underscoring continued diplomatic engagement across Africa.