AGP Executive Report

Regional Diplomacy: Equatorial Guinea is among the 10 states on the African Union committee pressing for Security Council reform. At a meeting in Libya, the committee renewed its call for two permanent African seats with veto powers and two additional non-permanent seats. Ahmed Soliman Case: A US judge has ordered the release and return of Egyptian national Ahmed Soliman, deported to Equatorial Guinea, and the US government says it has begun facilitating his return. The judge found his removal violated due process; reports of his detention and abuse in Malabo were cited in the ruling. CEMAC Currency: Older CFA franc coins will lose legal tender status across the six-member bloc, including Equatorial Guinea, on November 1. Holders will have a year to exchange them, though practical arrangements are still pending. Spain’s Military: Equatorial Guinea is the only African country whose citizens can apply through Spain’s foreign-nationals military recruitment pathway, subject to residency and age requirements.

Deportation Case: The US government says it has begun steps to return Ahmed Soliman, an Egyptian man deported to Equatorial Guinea, after a federal judge ordered his release and return. The judge found his removal unlawful; allegations that he was beaten and detained incommunicado in Malabo were not disputed in court. Prisoners in Malabo: Families of two Spanish telecom workers imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea since January 2025 staged a protest in Granada, alleging their relatives face an imminent trial without evidence and accusing Spain’s government of abandoning them. CEMAC Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series will lose legal-tender status across the six-country bloc, including Equatorial Guinea, on November 1. The BEAC says holders will have a year to exchange them, but has yet to announce where. Wildlife Crime: Three suspects charged in Cameroon over more than 700 kilograms of pangolin scales are alleged to be part of a trafficking network extending into Equatorial Guinea and other Central African countries.

Deportation Case: The U.S. says it has begun arranging Ahmed Soliman’s return after an Arizona judge ruled his deportation to Equatorial Guinea unlawful. The Egyptian-born gay man, raised in the U.S., has been detained in Malabo; the judge cited unrebutted reports that he was threatened and beaten. Prisoners’ Families: Families of two Spanish telecom workers jailed in Malabo since January 2025 planned a protest in Granada on Saturday, accusing Spain’s government of abandoning them and warning they face a trial they say lacks evidence. Regional Currency: From November 1, old CFA franc coins issued in five series from 1958 to 1985 will lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including Equatorial Guinea. BEAC says holders will have a year to exchange them, with arrangements still to come. Rights Concerns: Human Rights Watch says more than 500 people have been deported by the U.S. to African countries they are not from, including Equatorial Guinea, and alleges some faced detention and ill-treatment. The U.S. defends the removals as a public-safety measure.

Prisoner Advocacy: Families of two Spaniards held at Malabo’s Black Beach prison plan a peaceful traffic blockade in Granada today, saying they fear an imminent trial without evidence and accuse Spain’s government of abandoning the men. Deportation Case: The U.S. says it has begun arranging Ahmed Soliman’s return after a federal judge ordered his release and repatriation. Soliman, deported to Equatorial Guinea in April, has reportedly faced threats, beatings and incommunicado detention. Regional Rights: Human Rights Watch says more than 500 migrants have been deported by the U.S. to African countries where they have no ties, including Equatorial Guinea, and warns some face arbitrary detention or onward removal to danger. CFA Currency: Five older coin series will lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including Equatorial Guinea, on November 1. BEAC has announced a one-year exchange period, but details are pending.

Soliman Case: The U.S. says it has begun arranging Ahmed Soliman’s return after an Arizona judge ruled his deportation to Equatorial Guinea unlawful and ordered the government to facilitate his release. Soliman, a gay Egyptian man, has been detained in Malabo since April and has reported threats and abuse. Deportation Policy: Human Rights Watch says more than 500 people have been sent from the U.S. to African countries they are not from, including Equatorial Guinea, and warns of arbitrary detention and risks of persecution. CEMAC Currency: Old CFA franc coins from five series will lose legal tender status across the six-member bloc, including Equatorial Guinea, on November 1. A one-year exchange period is planned, but arrangements are still pending.

Deportation Deal Under Scrutiny: A US federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to take steps to release Ahmed Soliman from detention in Equatorial Guinea and return him to the United States. The Egyptian-born Phoenix resident says he was threatened and beaten after being deported in April; the judge ruled his removal denied him due process. Rights Concerns: Human Rights Watch says 536 people were deported to African countries where they are not citizens between January 2025 and August 2026. The group says some deportees, including people sent to Equatorial Guinea, faced arbitrary detention or risked being sent to countries where they could face persecution or torture. The US says third-country removals are a public-safety tool.

Deportation Case: A U.S. federal judge ordered the Trump administration to take steps to secure Ahmed Soliman’s release from detention in Equatorial Guinea and return him to the United States. Soliman, an Egyptian-born Phoenix resident, was deported this year and has since reported mistreatment. Rights Concerns: Human Rights Watch says more than 500 people have been deported to African countries where they are not citizens since 2025, including Equatorial Guinea. The group reports arbitrary detention and abuse, and says some deportees were sent onward despite risks of persecution or torture. Prisoners’ Families: Families of two Spanish telecom workers held at Malabo’s Black Beach prison for more than 20 months plan a protest in Granada on Saturday, calling for government action and warning of an imminent trial they say lacks evidence. Medicine Safety: A UN report says at least 251 tonnes of illicit medical products were seized across six Central African countries from 2020 to 2025, including Equatorial Guinea; the regional tally is incomplete because the country’s data was unavailable.

Deportation Case: A US federal judge ordered officials to help return Ahmed Soliman, an Arizona man deported to Equatorial Guinea, rejecting the government’s argument that it could not act while he was in Equatorial Guinean custody. Soliman has reported threats and beatings after being held at a Malabo hotel. Detained Spaniards: Families of two Spanish telecom workers held at Malabo’s Black Beach prison for more than 20 months plan to protest in Granada on October 10, fearing a trial they say lacks evidence. Wider Rights Concerns: Human Rights Watch says the US has sent more than 500 people it could not deport home to African countries with no ties to them, often without a meaningful chance to challenge their removal. A separate report describes a broader network of third-country deportations. Public Health: A UN report warns that trafficking in counterfeit and unapproved medicines threatens Central Africa; at least 251 tonnes were seized across the region from 2020 to 2025, though data for Equatorial Guinea remain incomplete.

Public Health: A UN report warns that trafficking in medicines is a serious Central African health threat. It records at least 251 tonnes seized across six CEMAC countries from 2020 to 2025, while noting gaps in Equatorial Guinea’s data. Malabo Detention: An Egyptian-born man deported from the United States is reportedly being held in Malabo and has faced threats and beatings, according to an Arizona report. Diplomacy: Equatorial Guinea and Egypt agreed to cooperate on agriculture, culture, tourism and aquaculture at the Alamein Africa Forum. Prisoners’ Families: Families of two Spanish men detained in Equatorial Guinea plan a protest in Granada on October 10, alleging the men face an unfair trial and have been abandoned by Spain’s government.

Deportation to third countries: A U.S. Supreme Court ruling keeps Trump’s “third-country” removals moving, with critics warning of torture and persecution risks for people sent to places like Equatorial Guinea. Human rights in Equatorial Guinea: A U.S.-linked detention case in Malabo’s decommissioned Bamy hotel has drawn fresh scrutiny, with reports of threats and beatings of deportees. Public health crackdown: The UN warns that medicine trafficking is a major Central Africa threat, citing at least 251 tonnes of seized medicines across CEMAC states from 2020-2025, including Equatorial Guinea. Legal pressure on Malabo: Spanish families of two men imprisoned in Malabo plan a peaceful traffic-blocking protest in Granada on Oct. 10, alleging an “imminent trial without evidence.” Energy and investment: Egypt signed cooperation deals with Equatorial Guinea covering agriculture, culture, tourism and aquaculture, while Africa Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town (Oct. 12-16) is set to spotlight regional energy investment.

Deportation Rights Under Fire: A U.S. Supreme Court ruling lets the Trump administration keep rapidly deporting people to “third countries” while legal challenges continue, raising fresh alarm over threats and beatings reported after deportations tied to Equatorial Guinea. Human Rights in Malabo: A decommissioned hotel in Malabo is described as an indefinite detention site for deportees with no local legal status, with reports of police violence during custody. Public Health Warning: The UN says Central Africa faces a major threat from trafficked and counterfeit medicines; at least 251 tonnes were seized across CEMAC states from 2020–2025, including Equatorial Guinea. Spanish Detainees Protest: Families of two Andalusians imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea since January 2025 plan a peaceful traffic-blocking demonstration in Granada on Oct. 10, alleging an imminent trial “without evidence.” Regional Diplomacy: Egypt signed cooperation deals with South Africa and Equatorial Guinea covering trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, aquaculture and pharmaceuticals.

UN Reform Debate: Africa’s push for permanent Security Council seats is winning arguments at the UN General Assembly, but analysts warn the continent still lacks a strategy that turns consensus into real power. Visa Access for Equatorial Guinea Travelers: India’s e-visa facility now covers 66 countries, including Equatorial Guinea, with rules varying by destination and travel purpose. Deportations Under Fire: A new US deportation “system” sends migrants to third countries, and Equatorial Guinea is named among destinations as UN experts and rights groups warn of torture and rights violations. Egypt–Africa Deals: Egypt’s foreign minister signed cooperation agreements with South Africa and Equatorial Guinea at the Alamein Africa Forum, targeting trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, aquaculture and pharmaceuticals. CEMAC Banking Update: CEMAC banks’ non-performing loan ratio fell to 15.4% by end-June 2026, signaling improving credit quality across Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad and CAR. Local Economy Snapshot: A salary ranking puts Equatorial Guinea in Africa’s top 10 for take-home pay in 2026, while Nigeria ranks 36th.

Deportations and Human Rights: A Reuters investigation says at least 40 migrants who won US protection for LGBT persecution were deported to African countries where same-sex relations are criminalised or where abuses are documented, including a Togolese man sent to Sierra Leone despite a judge’s safety ruling. US Courts and Policy: The US Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to resume rapid “third-country” deportations while legal challenges continue, with UN experts warning the policy is driving a “cascade of human rights violations.” Regional Diplomacy: Egypt’s foreign minister signed cooperation deals with South Africa and Equatorial Guinea during the Alamein Africa Forum, including a joint committee and plans spanning trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, aquaculture and pharmaceuticals. Local Economy Snapshot: A salary ranking puts Djibouti top in Africa for 2026 take-home pay, while Equatorial Guinea appears in the top 10 and Nigeria ranks 36th. Finance Watch (CEMAC): BEAC reports CEMAC banks’ non-performing loan ratio fell to 15.4% by end-June 2026, improving credit quality across the region.

UN Human Rights: UN experts are urging the Trump administration to stop “third-country” deportations, saying the policy has already sent at least 23,000 people to 29 destinations and is exposing migrants to a “cascade of human rights violations,” with Equatorial Guinea cited among receiving countries. US Courts & Immigration: Multiple reports track the US Supreme Court’s move to let rapid third-country removals resume while legal challenges continue, drawing sharp criticism over due process and torture risks. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt’s foreign minister met South Africa’s counterpart at the Alamein Africa Forum to expand trade and investment, and Egypt also signed cooperation deals with Equatorial Guinea and Chad covering areas like agriculture, tourism, aquaculture and pharmaceuticals. Finance & Banking: A BEAC report says CEMAC banks’ troubled-loan ratio fell to 15.4% by June 2026, including in Equatorial Guinea, as credit quality improved. Local Spotlight (Culture): Spanish-Equatoguinean ceramicist Bisila Noha has been named the Tacchini Prize recipient, with an exhibition in Milan running until 13 November 2026.

US–Equatorial Guinea Deportations: The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for rapid “third-country” deportations while legal challenges continue, a move critics say could send people to places like Equatorial Guinea where they have no ties and face serious rights risks. Alamein Africa Forum Deals: Egypt signed cooperation agreements with South Africa and Equatorial Guinea on trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, aquaculture and pharmaceuticals, as heads of state and business leaders gather in New Alamein to push cross-border projects. CEMAC Banking Health: The BEAC reports CEMAC’s non-performing loan ratio fell to 15.4% by June 2026, signaling improving credit quality across Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad and CAR. AFCON 2027 Hosting Watch: CAF is assessing contingency options for AFCON 2027 amid concerns over preparations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, with Equatorial Guinea previously stepping in when Morocco fell behind. Culture Spotlight: Spanish-Equatoguinean ceramicist Bisila Noha has won Italy’s Tacchini Prize, with an exhibition running in Milan through 13 November 2026.

US Supreme Court & Immigration: The court temporarily cleared Trump’s administration to resume rapid “third-country” deportations, letting migrants be sent to countries they’ve never lived in while legal challenges continue—sparking outrage over risks of torture and due-process concerns, with Equatorial Guinea among reported destinations. Equatorial Guinea in the spotlight: A US deal reportedly signed with Equatorial Guinea would accept removed noncitizens under a third-country removal scheme, raising fresh questions after the State Department’s human-rights report flagged torture and trafficking concerns. CEMAC banking update: In the monetary union, CEMAC’s non-performing loan ratio fell to 15.4% by end-June 2026, down from 17.4% a year earlier, signaling improving credit quality. Regional energy & trade diplomacy: Heads of state are gathering in Egypt for the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum, with discussions expected to cover investment, infrastructure, trade, critical minerals, digital innovation, health, and emerging industries. Local culture: A Spanish-Equatoguinean ceramicist, Bisila Noha, was named the Tacchini Prize recipient, with an exhibition in Milan running until 13 November 2026.