AGP Executive Report

Migration at sea: Mauritania’s coastguard rescued 911 migrants over five days, including 181 Gambians, with a latest case of 110 people (12 women, 3 minors) pulled from a disabled boat off Nouakchott. US deportations: The US DHS confirmed deportation of 355 West Africans, including 110 Nigerians and 12 Mauritanians, after publishing names and photos under its West Africa Operations Watch. Trade pressure: The US proposed a 12.5% tariff on imports from eight African countries—among them Mauritania—citing weak enforcement against forced-labour goods. Health ties: Egypt and Mauritania discussed deeper cooperation in healthcare, medical training, preventive health and pharmaceuticals. Energy and investment: Aura Energy says it is targeting a final investment decision by end-2026 for its Tiris uranium project in Mauritania, after a funding MoU with a major nuclear utility. Regional risk: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could sharply raise oil import bills for vulnerable economies, including Mauritania. Ebola push: CEPI pledged about $60m to speed Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine development led by Moderna and partners.

Uranium Push: Aura Energy says it’s on track for a final investment decision by end-2026 for its Tiris uranium project in Mauritania, after signing an MoU with a “major” nuclear utility and advancing its feasibility work. Deportation Watch: The U.S. has published names and photos of 355 people to be deported from West Africa, including 12 Mauritanians, as part of a wider crackdown. Energy Shock Risk: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could add over $20B a year to oil import bills for vulnerable economies, with knock-on effects for inflation and public finances—Mauritania is flagged among the most exposed. Regional Security: Reports say Russian “Air Wagner” flights have used Algerian air bases to skirt sanctions, underscoring how Algeria can become a staging point for operations across West Africa. Health & Aid: CEPI is backing Moderna and partners with about $60M to accelerate an Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine, as outbreaks continue in eastern DR Congo. Clean Cooking: AfDB launched a clean cooking programme aimed at reaching about one million African households, targeting major health and emissions gains. Ebola Alert in Mauritania: Mauritania has activated a national emergency mechanism amid regional Ebola concerns.

Mauritania-US Immigration: A Mauritanian man, Selah Dine Habib, is reportedly facing deportation after DHS alleged he used a false asylum claim based on being gay—then later married in Indiana and worked as a corrections officer. Sahel Security: Mali’s junta and Russian backers launched airstrikes on Kidal after fighters linked to the FLA and JNIM drove out the Malian Army and Russia’s Africa Corps, underscoring a widening Tuareg-terror alliance. UN Sanctions Watch: The UN Security Council’s June 1 update again spotlights Nigerian individuals and groups on its terrorism-linked sanctions list. US Deportations: The US confirmed deporting 355 people from West Africa, including Mauritania, and released names and photos. Ebola R&D: CEPI is set to fund Moderna and partners with about $60m to accelerate an Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine. Energy Costs: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could hit vulnerable economies hard via higher oil prices and fuel bills. Clean Cooking: AfDB launched a clean cooking programme targeting about one million households across Africa.

Uranium & Investment: Aura Energy says it has a “clear run” to reach a final investment decision by year-end for Mauritania’s Tiris uranium project, with a bankable feasibility study due in September and talks with a major nuclear power company to strengthen funding and offtake. Health Security: Mauritania has activated heightened surveillance measures for reported Ebola risks in several African countries, rolling out coordinated prevention steps across entry points. Sahel Security: Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama links Sahel instability partly to Libya’s collapse, saying it became a transit route for extremists, and urges regional cooperation including Algeria and Mauritania. Ebola Vaccine Push: CEPI announced about $60m for Moderna and partners to accelerate Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine development, aiming for trials soon despite security challenges in eastern DR Congo. Energy Prices: Morocco’s diesel remains above pre-Iran-war levels even after a small drop, while Algeria and Tunisia keep fuel prices stable. Regional Politics: Mali’s crisis and jihadist pressure on the state continue to shape the Sahel’s security landscape.

Ebola Preparedness: CEPI is set to give about $60m to Moderna and two other groups to speed up Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine development, with trials possible within months, as eastern DR Congo grapples with 282 confirmed cases and 42 deaths amid security hurdles. Mauritania Health Watch: Mauritania has activated heightened surveillance and preventive measures for reported Ebola risks across the region, coordinating ministries to protect people at entry points. Sahara Diplomacy: Burundi reiterated support for Morocco’s autonomy plan at the UN C-24 and welcomed Security Council Resolution 2797, while Morocco told the decolonization panel the Sahara file should move off its agenda after the Security Council shift. Mining & Jobs: The World Bank is expanding support for mining in developing economies, aiming to turn mineral wealth into jobs and growth as demand could double by 2040. Clean Energy Access: AfDB and Italy launched a clean cooking programme in Brazzaville targeting energy access for about one million African households. Regional Climate Impact: Saharan dust is expected to return across the Atlantic, reaching the Caribbean and possibly the United States. Local Business/Industry: Kinross published its 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting People-Planet-Efficiency priorities and continued sustainability rankings.

Ebola Watch (Mauritania): Mauritania has activated a national emergency mechanism and stepped up surveillance of reported Ebola cases in several African countries, with coordinated preventive measures across key ministries to protect people at entry points. Humanitarian Aid (Eid al-Adha): Qatar Charity thanked donors for its Udhiyah (Qurbani) project, distributing meat from 45,763 sacrificial animals to more than 900,000 people across 43 countries, including crisis-hit areas like Palestine, Somalia, Syria, Kenya and Sudan. Clean Energy (AfDB): The African Development Bank launched a clean cooking programme in Brazzaville aimed at energy access for about one million African households, with an initial €25m envelope and expected major carbon cuts. Regional Politics (Sahara): Morocco told the UN decolonization panel the Sahara file should be dropped from its agenda, arguing Security Council Resolution 2797 shifts the process to Morocco’s autonomy plan. Global Rights (Ghana): Ghana’s parliament passed a bill criminalizing the promotion of LGBTQ activity, with prison terms up to 10 years, drawing sharp criticism from human rights groups. Immigration Case (Mauritania link): US authorities arrested Mauritanian-born Selah Dine Habib, alleging a fraudulent asylum claim tied to homosexuality before he later worked as a corrections officer in Indiana.

Mauritania Health Security: Mauritania has activated heightened surveillance and a coordinated national emergency mechanism over reported Ebola risks in the region, with measures rolled out across ministries and entry points. AfDB Clean Energy Push: The African Development Bank, with Italy, launched a clean cooking programme in Brazzaville aimed at reaching about one million households, cutting millions of tonnes of CO2 and tackling health and gender impacts of dirty cooking. Sahara Diplomacy: Morocco told the UN decolonization committee the Western Sahara file should be dropped from its agenda, arguing Security Council Resolution 2797 and its autonomy plan should lead the process. Press Freedom Watch: A new global map from Reporters Without Borders shows press freedom at a 25-year low, with most countries now rated “difficult” or “very serious.” Ghana Rights Backlash: Ghana’s parliament approved a bill criminalizing the “promotion” of LGBTQ activity, drawing sharp criticism from human rights groups. World Cup & Regional Football: DR Congo returns to the World Cup after 52 years amid Ebola and security crises, while Senegal and South Africa face tough group challenges.

Western Sahara Diplomacy: Morocco told the UN decolonization committee C24 that the Sahara file should be dropped from its agenda, arguing Security Council Resolution 2797 puts the dispute on a new track under Morocco’s autonomy plan. Regional Tensions: Algeria, in parallel remarks at the same C24 seminar in Managua, reaffirmed the Sahrawi right to self-determination and rejected Morocco’s claims. Gulf Money vs. Iran Ties (South Africa): South Africa is courting Saudi, UAE and Qatar funding to revive its economy while also defending engagement with Iran and balancing BRICS ties—an approach investors say could unsettle trade and capital. Human Rights in Ghana: Ghana’s parliament passed an anti-LGBTQ+ bill imposing up to 10 years in prison for promoting LGBTQ acts and banning funding for related groups, with critics warning of constitutional rights risks. Mauritania Link (US immigration case): A Mauritanian correctional officer cleared US E-Verify but is now in ICE custody in Indiana, raising questions about vetting and documentation. Environment (Saharan Dust): Saharan dust is expected to return across the Atlantic, potentially reaching the Caribbean and parts of the US.

Ghana Anti-LGBTQ Law: Ghana’s parliament passed a bill imposing up to 10 years in prison for people who promote, sponsor or advocate LGBTQ+ acts, and up to three years for those who engage in LGBTQ+ acts; the law is expected to be signed by President John Dramani Mahama, with critics warning it could fuel discrimination. South Africa-Gulf Diplomacy: South Africa is courting Saudi, UAE and Qatar investment to revive its struggling economy while also maintaining ties with Iran, Russia and China—an approach that is unsettling some investors. Senegal Political Shock: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye fired PM Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the cabinet, deepening a fiscal crisis as an IMF programme remains frozen. Western Sahara on UN Agenda: Morocco’s UN envoy Omar Hilale argued that keeping the Western Sahara issue on the UN Committee of 24 agenda is outdated, pointing to UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and Morocco’s autonomy plan. Mauritania in the Spotlight: A Mauritanian man, Salah Habib, is reportedly detained in the US after working as a correctional officer in Indiana despite passing E-Verify checks. Eid al-Adha in Mauritania’s Region: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed hosted an annual Hajj reception in Mina, with Mauritania’s PM Mokhtar Ould Djay among the guests.

Western Sahara Diplomacy: Morocco’s UN envoy Omar Hilale says keeping the Sahara issue on the UN Committee of 24 agenda is “anachronistic,” pointing to UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only credible path. Regional Climate Watch: Meteorologists warn Saharan dust is returning, with clouds likely to cross the Caribbean and possibly reach the United States in the coming weeks. Morocco-Africa Partnerships: A report highlights Morocco’s push to deepen South-South cooperation, aiming to strengthen West and Central Africa ties and position itself as a logistics bridge between Europe, Africa and the Atlantic. Mauritania in the Spotlight: Mauritania’s Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay was among leaders welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the annual Hajj reception in Mina. Mali Security Update: Bamako’s routine is resuming after mourning, but the country remains tense after recent attacks and fighting linked to JNIM and allied groups. Sports & Culture: Giants of Africa marks its Built Within milestone with the opening of its 50th community basketball court in Lagos.

Hajj Diplomacy: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted the annual Hajj reception in Mina, welcoming leaders including Mauritania’s Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay, as Saudi Arabia reiterated its duty to serve pilgrims and Eid al-Adha greetings. Western Sahara Watch: Algeria reaffirmed its UN-backed principles for a “just and lasting” Western Sahara settlement at the UN Committee of 24 seminar, while Morocco’s UN envoy Hilale argued the Sahara issue should no longer sit on the committee agenda, citing UN Charter priorities and pointing to Resolution 2797 and Morocco’s autonomy plan. Mauritania in the Region: A Mauritania delegation joined the second Bridge to Africa program at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, aiming to strengthen Africa–Canary academic cooperation on research, environment, energy and sustainable development. Climate & Health: Saharan dust is returning, with forecasts warning large columns could cross the Caribbean and possibly reach the United States, and noting the dust’s role in suppressing tropical storm development. Energy & Trade: Mauritania’s maritime link gets a spotlight via Sahara Group’s bunkering operations boosting Africa’s Atlantic trade corridor.

Western Sahara Diplomacy: Algeria reaffirmed in Managua that a “just and lasting” settlement must follow international legitimacy and UN resolutions, rejecting Morocco’s claims and pointing to Sahrawi self-determination and the UN-backed negotiation track. Morocco vs. Polisario Narrative: Morocco’s UN envoy Omar Hilale argued keeping the Sahara on the UN decolonization agenda is outdated and said the Security Council’s Resolution 2797 backs Morocco’s autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty. Academic Cooperation: African universities pushed for shared academic pathways in Erasmus+ talks in Tunis, shifting partnerships from donor-style mobility to co-development and institutional leadership. Sahel Security Watch: Reports highlight Mali’s worsening crisis as jihadist-linked groups tighten pressure around Bamako and expand operations, raising fears of wider Sahel spillover. Mauritania in the Spotlight: Mauritania was among countries backing Greece’s UNESCO push for the return of the Parthenon Marbles. Eid al-Adha Calendar: In Mauritania, Eid al-Adha runs May 27–30, with other Arab states granting shorter or longer breaks.

Mauritania in the spotlight: Mauritania is among the Arab and Islamic states that condemned Somaliland’s reported plan to open a “so-called embassy” in occupied Jerusalem, calling it “illegal and unacceptable” and a violation of international law. Sahel security: Mali remains under intense pressure after coordinated attacks by JNIM and Tuareg-linked forces, including the killing of Defence Minister Sadio Camara and a tightening blockade around Bamako, raising fears of wider spillover across the Sahel. Eid al-Adha in Mauritania region: Mauritania is listed among countries granting a four-day Eid al-Adha break (May 27–30), as communities across the Arab world mark the Festival of Sacrifice. Connectivity for West Africa: An Orange-led consortium is pushing ahead with Via Africa, a 20,000km subsea cable linking Europe to West Africa with landings including Mauritania, aiming to boost digital resilience across the Atlantic corridor. Sports and youth: Giants of Africa marked its 50th community basketball court in Lagos, part of a plan to build 100 courts across Africa to support youth development. Global note: A report also highlights desertification concerns, warning the Sahara is expanding southward into Sahel drylands.

Mauritania Energy & Trade: Sahara Group has started bunkering operations in Mauritania after winning a 2026 licence, with a tanker offshore Nouadhibou enabling immediate fuel supply for ships in Mauritanian waters. Digital Infrastructure: Orange-led consortium signed an MoU for Via Africa, a 20,000km subsea cable linking Europe to West Africa and extending toward South Africa, with landings including Mauritania. Regional Development Finance: The AfDB annual meeting opened in Brazzaville under Ebola fears and Iran-war-driven economic stress, with Mauritanian ex-finance minister Sidi Ould Tah now leading the bank. Western Sahara Diplomacy: Algeria signaled a shift under foreign minister Ahmed Attaf, saying it hopes Morocco-Polisario direct talks can follow the UN-US framework. Culture & Heritage: Mauritania backed Greece’s push at UNESCO for the permanent return of the Parthenon marbles from the British Museum. Sports (Local Interest): Mauritania international Djeidi Gassama is linked to a potential Rangers exit amid reported £10m interest.

POLISARIO at UN Decolonisation Seminar: Frente POLISARIO’s UN representative, Dr. Sidi Mohamed Omar (also linked to MINURSO), told a Caribbean regional C-24 seminar in Managua that Sahrawi people will not accept any “colonial fait accompli,” and will keep pushing for self-determination and independence. Mali Junta Under Pressure: Mali’s security crisis stays front and center as reporting highlights how militants and foreign alignments have reshaped the fight around Bamako and beyond. Somaliland–Jerusalem Diplomatic Fallout: A fresh wave of condemnation continues after Somaliland moved to open a “purported embassy” in occupied Jerusalem—Arab and Muslim states, including Mauritania, call it “illegal and unacceptable.” Mauritania Trade & Energy Moves: Sahara Group has started bunkering operations in Mauritania after a 2026 licence, aiming to boost port competitiveness and maritime trade. Digital Connectivity Boost: Orange-led partners are pushing a 20,000km subsea cable, Via Africa, with landings including Mauritania, to strengthen internet resilience.

Somaliland–Israel backlash: Muslim and Arab foreign ministers, including Mauritania, have condemned Somaliland’s reported plan to open a “purported embassy” in occupied Jerusalem, calling it “illegal and unacceptable” and a “flagrant violation” of international law—while Israel’s December 2025 recognition of Somaliland as independent has already reshaped the diplomacy around the Horn. Mali security spiral: In the Sahel, analysts warn Mali’s crisis is worsening as jihadist groups adapt—moving from raids to blockades, surveillance, strikes and propaganda—raising fears of spillover across the region. Mauritania in the spotlight: Mauritania’s maritime role is growing, with Sahara Group starting bunkering operations off Nouadhibou after a 2026 licence, boosting the Atlantic trade corridor. Digital connectivity push: Orange and partners are advancing Via Africa, a 20,000km subsea cable linking Europe to West Africa and beyond, with landings including Mauritania. Regional finance pressure: The AfDB annual meeting in Brazzaville is underway under Ebola fears and Iran-war fuel shocks, as leaders push new ways to finance infrastructure amid tighter aid.