AGP Executive Report

US Deportations to CAR: A US deportation flight landed in the Central African Republic carrying nationals from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia, with lawyers warning that some deportees had legal protections in the US and could be forced back to the countries they fled. Zimbabwe–Equatorial Guinea Diplomacy: Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is in Zimbabwe for talks with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, including a Bi-National Commission expected to unlock new agreements across trade, energy, education and agriculture. CEMAC Export Pressure: CEMAC agricultural export earnings took a hit as international prices fell in Q1 2026, led by a sharp cocoa price drop, affecting Equatorial Guinea and neighbours. AI Access in the Region: Google is expanding its Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, now including Equatorial Guinea among supported African locales. World Cup Spotlight: UNICEF named Spain’s Lamine Yamal its youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador, tying children’s right to play to the World Cup’s opening.

US Deportations to Central African Republic: A US deportation flight headed to the CAR is reported to carry nationals from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia, with lawyers warning people who sought protection could be forced back to the countries they fled. Human Rights & Courts: Separate reporting highlights US court clashes over deportations, including a judge ordering release of a 77-year-old Palestinian man after ICE tried to move him despite legal protections. Equatorial Guinea–Zimbabwe Diplomacy: President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo arrived in Harare for a two-day state visit, where leaders are set to co-chair a Bi-National Commission and sign cooperation deals across trade, energy, education and mining. Digital Governance in Cameroon: In Yaounde, Paradigm Initiative and Civic Watch Cameroon held a workshop reviewing Cameroon’s digital governance and cybersecurity laws against human-rights standards. EU Aviation Safety List: The EU updated its air safety list, banning 154 airlines, including carriers from Equatorial Guinea and others, citing safety oversight failures. Tech for Africans: Google expanded Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, adding Equatorial Guinea to the broader rollout. Energy Prices in CEMAC: BEAC says export prices in the CEMAC region rose in Q1 2026 as energy prices rebounded, lifting the index after a prior decline.

State Visit Watch: Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has landed in Harare for a two-day state visit with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, with talks set to produce new agreements on trade, energy, education, agriculture, mining and skills. Diplomatic Ties: Belarus’ Chargé d’Affaires met Equatorial Guinea’s vice-president to push cooperation in agriculture, machinery supply, construction and education. Migration Pressure: Lawyers say the Trump administration is preparing to deport nearly two dozen people to the Central African Republic, including Iranian women with court protection, marking the first such deportation to CAR. Tech for Africa: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Equatorial Guinea along with Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Energy & Industry: BEAC reports CEMAC export prices rose in Q1 2026 as energy prices rebounded, while TGS signed a deal to reprocess major offshore seismic data for Equatorial Guinea’s Rio del Rey and Rio Muni basins. Aviation Safety: The EU Air Safety List update keeps Equatorial Guinea among countries with banned carriers from European skies.

President Diplomacy: Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is expected in Harare for a two-day state visit to Zimbabwe, aimed at strengthening ties after the Zimbabwe–Equatorial Guinea Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation, with cooperation deals expected across trade, education, agriculture, mining and more. Energy & Oil-Gas: Norwegian firm TGS has signed on to build an offshore MegaSurvey for Equatorial Guinea, starting with reprocessing about 27,273 km of 2D and 35,000 sq km of 3D seismic data, targeting completion in Q3 2026 and supporting exploration in the Rio del Rey and Rio Muni basins. Tech & Access: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Equatorial Guinea and other African markets, expanding AI search help beyond a limited rollout. Labour Migration Watch: Kuwait has tightened domestic worker recruitment, allowing hiring from only 10 countries while banning recruitment from 27, including Equatorial Guinea, as Gulf rules reshape African labour corridors. Sports Spotlight: UNICEF named football star Lamine Yamal a Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on children’s right to play as the World Cup kicks off.

Offshore Energy Push: TGS says it has signed with Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons to build a major offshore MegaSurvey, starting with reprocessing about 27,273 km of 2D and 35,000 sq km of 3D seismic data, aiming to finish in Q3 2026 and support exploration in the Rio del Rey and Rio Muni basins. Parliament & Diplomacy: The National Assembly (AN) appointed directors of new Parliamentary Friendship Groups, including an Equatorial Guinea-designated president for the Friendship Group. Human Rights Pressure: International rights groups renewed calls for the immediate release of Equatoguinean lawyer and activist Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang, saying he remains in incommunicado detention despite a UN opinion. EU Aviation Safety Update: The EU Air Safety List was revised again, now banning 154 airlines; the list still includes carriers tied to Equatorial Guinea due to inadequate national safety oversight. World Cup & Travel Tensions: FIFA referee Omar Artan, denied US entry for the 2026 World Cup, returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu, highlighting how visa and security checks can derail football plans. Regional Migration Fallout: Reporting says the Central African Republic has agreed to accept US “third-country” deportees, adding to concerns about due process and rights across Africa.

Offshore Energy Deal: TGS signed with Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mining to build a major offshore multi-client seismic dataset, starting with post-stack reprocessing of about 27,273 km of 2D and ~35,000 sq km of 3D, aiming for completion in Q3 2026 and supporting exploration in the Rio del Rey and Rio Muni basins. Human Rights Pressure: International groups renewed calls for President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to immediately release lawyer and activist Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang, saying he remains in arbitrary incommunicado detention despite a UN Working Group opinion. World Cup Referee Fallout: Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the US for the World Cup, returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu and vowed to be at the next tournament in 2030. Regional Migration Watch: Reuters reports the Central African Republic agreed to accept “third-country” deportees from the US, adding to a growing list that includes Equatorial Guinea, amid criticism that such deals bypass US court protections. Sports Results: Equatorial Guinea’s friendly ended 0-1 vs Comoros.

World Cup & Immigration Clash: A Somali referee picked for the 2026 World Cup, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, was denied entry to the U.S. at Miami after extra checks, with Somalia saying it has “unwavering support” for his integrity while FIFA confirms he won’t officiate. Human Rights in Malabo: Equatorial Guinean lawyer and activist Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang remains in incommunicado detention despite a UN call for his immediate release, with rights groups urging President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to implement the UN Working Group opinion. Labor Migration Policy: Kuwait’s new domestic worker recruitment circular allows hiring from 10 countries but bans 27, including Equatorial Guinea, tightening options for families relying on overseas domestic work. Regional Sports (Local Angle): In Malabo’s Zone 4 U18 AfroBasket qualifier, Equatorial Guinea failed to advance after losing all four games, while Chad secured the only final-round ticket. Energy Watch: Vaalco says production resumed at the Baobab field after a successful FPSO refurbishment, a reminder of ongoing offshore activity tied to the region’s oil sector.

Human Rights Pressure: Equatorial Guinea lawyer and activist Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang remains in incommunicado detention despite a UN Working Group opinion calling for his immediate release, with rights groups urging President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to implement Opinion No. 70/2025. Deportations & Legal Fight: Rights lawyers have filed a case at Africa’s top human rights body accusing Equatorial Guinea of being part of “third-country” deportation arrangements that allegedly bypass legal protections for migrants sent back to face persecution. Energy Diplomacy: Qatar’s energy minister, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, met Equatorial Guinea’s mines and hydrocarbons minister to discuss cooperation and energy relations. Football & Eligibility: Somalia defended referee Omar Artan after he was denied entry to the US, a reminder of how immigration rules are affecting African football personnel ahead of the World Cup. Regional Sports: In Malabo, Zone 4 U18 AfroBasket qualifiers saw Chad clinch the final spot after beating Gabon in the final.

Human Rights Pressure: International groups are demanding the immediate release of Equatoguinean lawyer and activist Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang, saying he remains incommunicado despite a UN Working Group opinion calling for his release. Energy Diplomacy: Qatar’s energy minister, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, met Equatorial Guinea’s mines and hydrocarbons minister to discuss cooperation and ways to deepen energy ties. Deportation Fallout: Rights lawyers have filed a case at the African human rights body challenging the US “third-country” deportation practice involving Equatorial Guinea, alleging deportees were sent back despite legal protections and fears of persecution. Regional Migration Deal: Reuters reports the Central African Republic agreed to accept US deportees from other countries, highlighting a wider pattern of Washington partnering with African states to speed removals. Sports—Local Spotlight: Equatorial Guinea hosted the Zone 4 U18 AfroBasket qualifier in Malabo, but the hosts failed to advance after losing all four games; Chad secured the Zone 4 ticket by beating Gabon in the final.

Third-Country Deportations Expand: The Central African Republic has agreed to accept migrants deported from the United States under “third-country” arrangements, with details on numbers and timing still unclear, as rights groups warn the deals bypass U.S. legal protections. Legal Pushback Over Equatorial Guinea: Lawyers have filed a complaint with Africa’s top human rights body seeking to stop U.S. deportations to Equatorial Guinea and halt onward expulsion to home countries, arguing deportees were sent despite legal safeguards and faced harsh detention. U.S. Court Ruling on Immigration Delays: A federal judge struck down Trump-era policies that paused asylum and other immigration benefit decisions for applicants from 39 countries, including Equatorial Guinea, calling the delays unlawful. Sports—Local Relevance in Malabo: In Malabo, Zone 4 U18 AfroBasket qualifiers ended with Chad booking the final-round spot after beating Gabon, while Equatorial Guinea failed to advance. Football—Haiti vs Equatorial Guinea Build-Up: Haiti’s women beat New Zealand 2-1 in a friendly in Spain as both teams continue preparations for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.

US–Equatorial Guinea Deportations: Rights lawyers have filed a case at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, accusing Equatorial Guinea of forcing U.S. deportees back to countries where they fear persecution, and asking for an immediate halt, better detention conditions, and compensation. Regional Migration Deal Expansion: The Central African Republic has agreed to accept “third-country” deportees from the United States, adding to similar arrangements already involving Equatorial Guinea and others. US Immigration Court Setback: A U.S. federal judge struck down Trump-era policies that paused asylum and other immigration benefit decisions for applicants from dozens of countries, including Equatorial Guinea, calling the delays unlawful. Digital Family Protection Push: Ghana’s communications minister Samuel Nartey George urged African lawmakers to protect children and family values from foreign-controlled algorithms, calling it “algorithmic parenting” and urging urgent laws. Sports—Malabo U18 AfroBasket: Chad beat Gabon 85–58 to win Zone 4’s final ticket, with Equatorial Guinea failing to advance after losing all four games in Malabo. Oil & Gas: Galp signed a tentative deal to run offshore exploration studies on blocks EG-02, EG-09 and H near Bioko, ahead of a potential production-sharing contract.

Deportation Fallout: Rights lawyers have filed a case at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights accusing Equatorial Guinea of taking in U.S. “third-country” deportees and then expelling them onward, urging the body to halt further removals and order better detention conditions. US Court Ruling: A Rhode Island judge struck down Trump-era immigration policies that had blocked asylum and other benefit decisions for applicants from 39 countries, including Equatorial Guinea, calling the delays unlawful. Regional Sports (Malabo): Chad beat Gabon 85–58 to win the Zone 4 U18 AfroBasket final round ticket in Malabo, while Equatorial Guinea failed to advance after losing all four games. Digital Family Values: A communications minister in Accra warned lawmakers about “algorithmic parenting” and urged stronger laws to protect African children and family values online. Oil & Gas: Galp signed a tentative deal to study offshore acreage in Equatorial Guinea, covering blocks EG-02, EG-09 and H, ahead of possible production talks.

Deportation Legal Battle: Rights lawyers have filed a case at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights accusing Equatorial Guinea of being used to send U.S. deportees back to countries where they fear persecution, asking for an immediate halt to further removals, better detention conditions, and compensation for those already returned. U.S. Immigration Overhaul: Separate court rulings in the U.S. have blocked parts of Trump-era immigration policies affecting asylum and other benefits for people from dozens of countries, adding pressure to the wider crackdown. Sports—U18 AfroBasket: In Malabo, Chad beat Gabon 85–58 to win Zone 4’s final ticket to the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket, while Equatorial Guinea failed to advance after losing all four games. Oil & Gas: Galp Energia signed a tentative deal to run offshore exploration studies on acreage southeast of Bioko Island, covering blocks EG-02, EG-09 and H. Finance & Banking: African banking supervisors are meeting in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation and financial stability amid rapid digital change. Family Values Online: A Ghana-based push at an Accra conference urged African lawmakers to protect children and family values from harmful foreign influence spread through digital platforms and AI.

US–Equatorial Guinea Deportations in Court: Rights lawyers have filed a case with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, accusing Equatorial Guinea of being used to send U.S. deportees back to places where they face persecution, and asking for deportations to stop plus detention-condition fixes and compensation. US Immigration Policy Pushback: A U.S. federal judge blocked Trump’s “high-risk countries” immigration and asylum halt, dealing a blow to the administration’s broader crackdown. Visa Processing Overhaul: The U.S. plans to cut Africa visa-processing posts from nearly 50 to 20 hubs, with Malabo listed as one of the remaining full-service sites—meaning applicants elsewhere may need to travel. Oil & Gas Update: Galp is moving toward exploration studies offshore Equatorial Guinea via a tentative deal covering blocks EG-02, EG-09 and H, as the country prepares a licensing round. Sports—Local Spotlight: Chad beat Gabon 85–58 in the FIBA U18 AfroBasket final in Malabo, while Gabon’s federation confirmed the death of defender Yrondu Musavu-King. Diplomacy/UN Vote: Azerbaijan backed a UN General Assembly resolution on refugees and internally displaced persons that lists Equatorial Guinea among the countries voting against.

US–Equatorial Guinea Deportations Fight: Rights lawyers have filed a complaint with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to stop “third-country” deportations from the U.S. to Equatorial Guinea, alleging forced returns, detention without charge, and requests for halts, better detention conditions, and compensation. US Immigration Policy Shock: A separate U.S. court ruling struck down parts of Trump’s immigration freeze affecting applicants from 39 travel-ban countries, while the State Department plans to cut visa-processing posts across Africa from nearly 50 to 20 hubs—Malabo is listed as one of them. Regional Family & Sovereignty Push: African MPs and civil society in Accra adopted a communiqué calling for stronger protection of the African family, sovereignty, and cultural values, including moves toward an African Charter. Finance Watch in CEMAC: Banking regulators met in Yaoundé under CABS to strengthen prudential cooperation and financial stability amid rapid digital change. Sports & Health: League calendars face uncertainty as Ebola concerns lead to international match cancellations, with Tanzania’s top league board saying it will assess before changing schedules. Energy Deal Offshore EG: Galp signed a tentative exploration MoU offshore Equatorial Guinea covering blocks EG-02, EG-09 and H, pending further approvals.

US Deportation Legal Challenge: Rights lawyers filed a complaint with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to stop U.S. “third-country” deportations to Equatorial Guinea and demand better detention conditions. Visa Processing Overhaul: The U.S. plans to cut visa-processing embassies and consulates across Africa from nearly 50 to 20 hubs, with Malabo listed as one of the remaining full-processing sites—meaning applicants elsewhere may need to travel. Oil & Gas Update: Galp Energia signed a tentative deal to run offshore exploration studies in Equatorial Guinea ahead of a licensing round, covering blocks EG-02, EG-09 and H near Bioko. Regional Finance Talks: Banking regulators met in Yaoundé for CABS discussions on strengthening prudential cooperation as digital finance grows across the CEMAC region, including Equatorial Guinea. UN Humanitarian Vote: Georgia’s UN resolution on refugees and internally displaced persons passed with 107 countries supporting it, while Equatorial Guinea voted against. Sports (Local Relevance): Burundi take on Equatorial Guinea in an international friendly as teams fine-tune World Cup warmups.