AGP Executive Report

Bafana Bafana AFCON Build-Up: Pitso Mosimane has kicked off his second stint with a new-look setup, including part-time technical staff aimed at giving local coaches international experience, as South Africa assemble for qualifiers against Guinea (Sep 26) and Eritrea (Sep 30). Squad & Star Watch: Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya has been named in Mosimane’s squad, while Union SG’s Relebohile Mofokeng earned fresh attention after scoring in the Europa League. Injuries at Kaizer Chiefs: Chiefs face fitness worries after Lebohang Maboe was forced off, with goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and striker Wandile Duba also sidelined. Guinea Media & Press Freedom: Guinea banned France 24 nationwide and revoked staff accreditation after a presenter used an insulting label for President Mamadi Doumbouya; France 24 says it corrected and apologized, while press groups urge Guinea to reverse the ban. Guinea Environment Policy: Guinea begins enforcing a nationwide ban on single-use plastics, including bags, sachets, straws, cups, and polystyrene containers, with border and market controls.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea’s High Authority of Communication has banned France 24 nationwide, revoked its broadcasting authorization, and pulled staff accreditations after a presenter called President Mamadi Doumbouya a “putschist president,” despite France 24’s apology and corrections. Plastic Ban Rollout: Guinea is enforcing a nationwide ban on single-use plastics and packaging—bags, sachets, straws, cups, plates, and polystyrene containers—starting Sept. 20, with border and factory controls and penalties for repeat offenders. Music & Culture Spotlight: A Kazakh songs festival in Turkistan (Sept. 25–27) will feature performers from many countries including Guinea, aiming to promote folk vocal traditions and spotlight Turkistan as a cultural hub. Sports, With Guinea in the Mix: South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane has named a 30-man Bafana squad for AFCON qualifiers starting with Guinea on Sept. 26, with camp already underway and selections drawing attention. Community Arts Abroad: West African dance and drumming teacher Fara Tolno (Guinea) is running workshops in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, bringing Guinea’s rhythms to new audiences.

Guinea Media & Politics: Guinea’s High Authority for Communication has banned France 24 nationwide after a presenter called President Mamadi Doumbouya a “putschist president,” revoking the broadcaster’s authorization and withdrawing accreditations; France 24 says it apologized and corrected the wording, but the regulator says it was a deliberate challenge and keeps the ban in place. Guinea Environment: Guinea begins enforcing a nationwide ban on single-use plastics—shopping bags, water sachets, straws, cups, plates, and polystyrene containers—with border and factory controls, seizures, and penalties for repeat offenders. Guinea Sports (regional spotlight): South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane names a 30-man Bafana squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with Guinea as the opening opponent (Sep. 26), and includes US-based winger Puso Dithejane. Arts & Culture (Guinea connection abroad): “Horizontes 09.20.2026” features Guinea/Austin artist Aicha Wambaya ft. Sahara All Stars, alongside Latin music picks from across the Americas.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea’s High Authority for Communication has banned France 24 nationwide, revoked the outlet’s broadcasting authorization, and pulled accreditations after a presenter called President Mamadi Doumbouya a “putschist president,” with France 24 saying it apologized and corrected the wording. Press Freedom Pushback: The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Guinea to reverse the ban and reinstate Jeune Afrique correspondent Diawo Barry’s accreditation, calling the moves intimidation of independent media. Sports—AFCON Build-Up: South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane named a 30-man Bafana Bafana squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers starting against Guinea on 26 September, with winger Puso Dithejane included and Lyle Foster among notable cuts. Arts & Culture—Music Workshops: West African dance and drumming teacher Fara Tolno is set to run community workshops in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, bringing Guinea’s traditions to new audiences. Health—Ebola Update: WHO says the DRC Ebola outbreak shows encouraging signs of improvement, with reported deaths now above 3,500.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea’s High Authority for Communication has banned France 24 nationwide, revoked the outlet’s broadcasting authorization, and pulled staff accreditations after a presenter called President Mamadi Doumbouya a “putschist president,” with France 24 saying it apologized and corrected the wording. Press Freedom Pushback: The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Guinea to reverse the ban and reinstate Jeune Afrique correspondent Diawo Barry, calling the move intimidation of independent media. Sports & Talent Spotlight: South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane named a 30-man Bafana Bafana squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers, including winger Puso Dithejane, with Guinea set as the opening opponent on 26 September. Arts & Culture: West African dance and drumming teacher Fara Tolno is running community workshops in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, bringing Guinea traditions to local audiences. Public Health Context: WHO says the DRC Ebola outbreak is showing encouraging improvement, with death toll and case numbers continuing to rise.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea’s High Authority of Communication has banned France 24 nationwide, revoked the outlet’s broadcasting authorization, and pulled staff accreditations after a presenter called President Mamady Doumbouya a “putschist president,” despite France 24’s apology and online corrections; the regulator also ordered Canal+ Guinea to remove the channel. Press Freedom Pushback: The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Guinea to reverse the ban and reinstate Jeune Afrique correspondent Diawo Barry’s accreditation, calling the moves intimidation of independent media. Bafana Bafana & Guinea Matchup: South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane named a 30-man squad for AFCON qualifiers starting with Guinea on Sept. 26, with recalls including Themba Zwane, Cassius Mailula, Luther Singh and Shandre Campbell. Sports Spotlight: Relebohile Mofokeng scored on his Europa League debut for Union Saint-Gilloise, the same day he was named in Mosimane’s Bafana squad.

Media & Press Freedom: Guinea’s High Authority of Communication has banned France 24 nationwide, revoking its broadcast licence and withdrawing staff accreditations after a presenter called President Mamadi Doumbouya a “putschist president,” with the regulator also ordering Canal+ Guinea to remove the channel and citing non-compliance with correction demands. Diplomatic Fallout: France 24’s director later sent a letter to Doumbouya acknowledging an “inaccurate term” and asking for reconsideration, while the Committee to Protect Journalists urged Guinea to reverse the ban and reinstate Jeune Afrique correspondent Diawo Barry. Arts & Culture (Guinea): West African dance and drumming teacher Fara Tolno is running community workshops in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, bringing Guinea’s musical traditions to international audiences. Sports (Guinea-linked): South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane named a 30-man Bafana squad for AFCON qualifiers starting with Guinea on 26 September, with young US-based winger Puso Dithejane included.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea’s High Authority for Communication has banned France 24 nationwide after a presenter called President Mamady Doumbouya a “putschist president,” and it also withdrew France 24 staff accreditation and Jeune Afrique correspondent accreditation—sparking calls from press freedom watchdogs to reverse the move. Bafana Bafana & Guinea Matchday Buzz: South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane named a 30-man squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with Guinea set as the opening opponent on 26 September; US-based winger Puso Dithejane makes the squad after strong form. Culture on the Move: West African dance and drumming teacher Fara Tolno (Guinea) is running community workshops in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, bringing hands-on rhythm and movement to local audiences. Arts & Heritage Elsewhere: A Heritage-themed festival in the US highlights folk crafts, live demonstrations, and music—showing how Guinea’s cultural influence travels beyond borders. Energy for the Future: Guinea’s Ministry of Energy and RELP signed up for a solar PV and battery storage procurement program, starting with an indicative 400 MW phase.

Guinea Media Watch: Guinea’s High Authority for Communication has banned French broadcaster France 24 from operating in the country after a presenter called President Mamady Doumbouya a “putschist president,” following an earlier warning and demand for editorial corrections. The regulator also pulled France 24 press accreditations and withdrew accreditation for a Jeune Afrique correspondent. AFCON Buzz (South Africa): Pitso Mosimane named South Africa’s final 30-man squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with Guinea the opening opponent on Sept. 26, and Eritrea four days later—while the coach says a new goalkeeper coach announcement is imminent. Arts & Culture (Guinea connection abroad): West African dance and drumming teacher Fara Tolno, a Guinea-born artist, is running community workshops in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes alongside performances tied to the Millpond Music Festival. Energy & Development (Guinea): Guinea’s Ministry of Energy and Belgium’s RELP signed an agreement to support a transparent solar PV and battery storage procurement program, starting with an indicative 400 MW phase.

Guinea Media Crackdown: Guinea’s audiovisual regulator (HAC) banned France 24 from broadcasting nationwide after a presenter used “putschist president” for President Mamady Doumbouya, despite a prior warning—France 24 says it apologized and corrected the wording. Regulator Warning: HAC also issued a formal warning to France 24 over the “inappropriate term” and withdrew accreditation from a Jeune Afrique correspondent. Energy & Infrastructure: Guinea’s Ministry of Energy and Belgium-based RELP signed an agreement to support a transparent solar PV and battery storage procurement program, starting with an indicative 400 MW phase. Sports Spotlight (Guinea connection): In international football coverage, Guinea is listed as an opponent in South Africa’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with Guinea facing South Africa at home on Sept. 26. Arts & Culture (Guinea-linked): A Guinea-born dance and drum group, Duniya Dance and Drum Company, is set to feature at the African Arts Festival in San Francisco on Oct. 3.

Media & Speech Rights: Guinea’s High Authority for Communication (HAC) has issued a formal warning to France 24 after a Sept. 14 broadcast allegedly called President Mamady Doumbouya a “putschist president,” ordering editorial corrections across digital platforms and warning of sanctions if it happens again. Energy & Infrastructure: Guinea’s Ministry of Energy and Belgium-based RELP have signed up for a solar PV and battery storage procurement program, starting with an indicative 400 MW phase and aiming for transparent, risk-managed tendering. Sports (Guinea in the spotlight): South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane faces selection headaches ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with Guinea listed as the first opponent in the group’s opening run—making the Guinea matchup a key early test. Culture & Community: A Heritage reception in New York celebrated African identity and diaspora ties, with Guinea-linked West African cultural energy highlighted through broader pan-African programming.

Energy & Power: Guinea’s Ministry of Energy and Belgium clean-energy non-profit RELP have signed up for a solar PV and battery storage procurement program, starting with an indicative 400 MW phase and support on tenders, capacity building, and risk/credit tools. Arts & Culture: Senegalese musician Sahad is being celebrated for a pan-African, pride-filled sound that blends jazz fusion, Afrobeat, funk, and traditional rhythms, earning him comparisons to “the Senegalese James Brown.” Wildlife & Learning: New research from Senegal shows western chimpanzees can “teach” by handing infants tools and food, with the youngsters successfully copying the demonstrated techniques. Sports (Regional Spotlight): Guinea’s university football scene gets a boost as Ghana’s University for Development Studies win African university champions again, beating Julius Nyerere University of Guinea 2-1 in Cairo. Public Health (Africa Watch): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 3,500 lab-confirmed deaths and spread to a seventh province, though UN officials urge caution on claims that transmission has peaked. Human Rights: Nigeria and France-backed PROTECT project launches across Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Togo to disrupt trafficking networks using digital recruitment and cross-border cooperation.

China-Africa Cultural Exchange: A China media tour highlights growing trade and tech ties with Africa, including a textile operation using African cotton and Chinese know-how, and points to Guinea’s role via Marébayah Port. Pan-African Music Spotlight: Senegalese artist Sahad is praised for a pan-African sound that blends jazz fusion, Afrobeat, funk and traditional rhythms, pushing youth-focused patriotism. Ebola Update (DR Congo): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 3,500 deaths and spread to a seventh province, with officials divided between signs of slowing transmission and UN warnings not to assume it has peaked. Guinea in the Arts Calendar: The African Arts Festival (Oct 3) features West African dance and drumming, with Guinea included among the cultural roots behind Duniya Dance and Drum Company. Guinea Talent in Sports: Guinea student art winners were named, while football coverage spotlights Guinea-linked players and squads tied to AFCON qualifiers. Anti-Trafficking (Guinea included): Nigeria and France-backed PROTECT launches a West Africa push against human trafficking networks, explicitly covering Guinea and targeting digital recruitment. Textile Arts: “Textile Alchemy” at LACMA spotlights Reiko Sudō and Nuno, with a show opening Sept 20.

Ebola Update: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is still surging, with lab-confirmed deaths now past 3,500 and cases at 7,258 across seven provinces, as officials say it’s too early to declare the peak. Public Health & Spread: The outbreak has reached a seventh province, Sud-Ubangi, with the rare Bundibugyo strain detected, while UN and WHO urge caution despite signs of slowing in some areas. Arts & Culture: “Textile Alchemy: The Art of Reiko Sudō and Nuno” opens at LACMA on Sept 20, spotlighting Sudō’s innovative, light-filtering textile works and decades of craft experimentation. Sports (Guinea-linked): South Africa’s AFCON 2027 qualifying group includes Guinea, with Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana return set to kick off against Guinea and Eritrea. Human Rights (Guinea in focus): Nigeria and France launch a West Africa anti-trafficking push (including Guinea), targeting digital recruitment and cross-border criminal networks. Local Spotlight: Guinea student art winners are named, adding fresh momentum to homegrown creativity. Football Buzz: Relebohile Mofokeng’s early Belgium success is drawing attention as South Africa’s next generation takes shape.

Human Trafficking Crackdown: NAPTIP and France’s Expertise France launched the PROTECT project across Nigeria and West Africa, aiming to disrupt trafficking networks that increasingly recruit and exploit victims via digital platforms, with Guinea included in the five-country push. Ebola Update: Congo’s fast-growing Ebola outbreak has spread to a seventh province, Sud-Ubangi, with tests pointing to the rare Bundibugyo strain and officials warning the situation is still out of control. Guinea Arts & Culture: Guinea student art winners were named, adding fresh momentum to local youth creativity. Dance Heritage: KanKouran Dance Company marked 43 years with a major concert celebrating West African drumming and dance, spotlighting a new generation of performers. Sports & Identity (South Africa–Guinea link): Bafana Bafana’s Afcon qualifier against Guinea is set for Orlando Stadium, with Pitso Mosimane back in charge and Guinea named in the match build-up. Arts in Motion: Emmy-nominated director Jeffrey Page discussed Black identity through dance, including reflections on his visits to Guinea.

Guinea-Morocco Cultural Diplomacy: Guinea reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara during the 8th Morocco–Guinea Joint Cooperation Commission in Conakry, signing 25 agreements aimed at turning cooperation into concrete projects. Human Rights & Regional Safety: NAPTIP and France’s Expertise France inaugurated the PROTECT anti-trafficking project, bringing together Guinea, Nigeria, Benin, Sierra Leone and Togo to strengthen prevention and victim protection across the Gulf of Guinea. Ebola Watch (Regional Impact): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has spread to a seventh province, Sud-Ubangi, with authorities reporting the rare Bundibugyo strain—raising fears for neighboring areas. Sports & Identity (Guinea-linked): Guinea’s Ousmane Diabaté is on Newcastle’s radar as the club reshapes its squad, while Bafana Bafana’s Afcon qualifiers against Guinea are set for Orlando Stadium—keeping Guinea football in the spotlight.