AGP Executive Report

ECOWAS Power Shift: Sierra Leone has formally handed Senegal the ECOWAS PRC chairmanship, with Senegal’s Ambassador Nicolas Auguste Nyouky taking over after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s election as ECOWAS chair. Regional Diplomacy: Senegal also began its ECOWAS facilitation mission in Guinea-Bissau, pushing dialogue ahead of a constitutional referendum on Aug. 30 and elections set for Dec. 6. Justice & Politics Online: A Senegalese court jailed three TikTok influencers tied to Feenal Digital for insulting President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in a case critics say further tightens limits on online speech amid a deepening split between Faye and former ally Ousmane Sonko. Development Finance: The World Bank will provide Senegal about CFA 340bn (around $599m) for agriculture and transport, aiming to expand opportunities for young people and women. Football Transfers: Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye is reportedly drawing Arsenal interest as Al-Hilal pursue him, while Everton are linked to Senegalese right-back Krepin Diatta as he becomes a free agent after Monaco.

ECOWAS Mediation: Senegal has officially begun its ECOWAS facilitation mission in Guinea-Bissau, with Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang meeting the transitional president and prime minister as the country heads toward a constitutional referendum on Aug. 30 and elections on Dec. 6. Courts & Speech: A Senegalese court jailed three TikTok influencers for insulting the president, sentencing them to prison terms and fines, drawing criticism from their lawyer over free-speech concerns. Sports—Senegalese Abroad: Senegalese midfielder Ousseynou Fall Seck is a reported target for Swansea City after the club agreed a fee with Randers, while Marseille are linked with Senegal international Krépin Diarra and Lille are reportedly eyeing goalkeeper Mory Diaw. Sports—Senegal on the Pitch: Senegal’s Moustapha Diakhate made a winning PFL debut in New York, stopping Darryl Walker in the first round. Culture & Exchange: An exhibition on ancient Chinese clothing culture opened in Dakar, pairing Ming Dynasty replicas with West African textiles to highlight people-to-people ties.

Senegal Football Transfers: Liverpool are pushing to sign PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye, with talks expected soon as the 18-year-old Senegalese forward weighs a move to the Premier League. Senegal Football Abroad: Marseille are monitoring free-agent Senegalese defender Krépin Diarra, while Crystal Palace are also tracking Nice’s Antoine Mendy as multiple clubs circle. Saudi Pro League: Al-Ittihad have completed the signing of Senegalese midfielder Dion Lopy from Almeria on a three-year deal, their first foreign arrival of the window. MMA Spotlight: Senegal’s Moustapha Diakhate made a big PFL debut in New York, stopping Darryl Walker in the first round and leaning into Senegalese royal-themed walkout visuals. Culture & Exchange: An exhibition of ancient Chinese clothing culture opened in Dakar, pairing Ming Dynasty replicas with West African garments to highlight people-to-people ties. Local Sports Note: Senegalese forward Modou Mbengue featured in Indian Navy’s 2-0 Durand Cup win over NEROCA, as the tournament continues.

Senegal–China Cultural Exchange: Dakar’s Museum of Black Civilizations opened an exhibition of ancient Chinese clothing culture, featuring Ming Dynasty costume replicas alongside West African garments, with Senegal’s culture minister calling it a chance to “meet, learn and share” textile traditions. Football Transfers (Senegalese): Liverpool are pushing to sign PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye, with talks expected to start as the 18-year-old Senegal international weighs a move; meanwhile, Saudi club Al-Ittihad completed the signing of Senegal midfielder Dion Lopy from Almeria on a three-year deal. WAFCON 2026 (Senegal): Senegal’s women’s team exited after a goalless draw with Morocco in Group A, despite saving two Moroccan penalties; Morocco and Algeria advanced. Public Finance (Senegal): The AfDB approved $35.4m to help Senegal strengthen public finance management, boost revenue collection, and improve transparency after debt disclosures. Regional Security/Border: Senegalese forces reportedly moved against disputed territory in the Bulock area, raising fresh questions about coordination with The Gambia’s government.

AfDB Financing Boost: The African Development Bank approved $35.4m (20bn CFA) to help Senegal strengthen public finance management, raise domestic revenue, and improve transparency as the country works through fiscal pressure and previously unreported debt. Border Tensions & Farming Impact: Senegalese security forces’ Bulock-area actions have triggered a border crisis, with Gambian farmers ordered off ancestral plots; the agriculture minister says affected farmers should return to work soon after bilateral talks. LGBTQ Crackdown: Senegal police arrested eight women on “lesbianism” charges, highlighting a widening crackdown under the tightened anti-homosexuality law. WAFCON Drama: Morocco reached the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after a goalless draw with Senegal, with Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye saving two penalties to keep the match level. Football Transfers (Senegalese links): Liverpool are weighing a move for PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye, while Tottenham interest in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson continues amid a reported £65m asking price.

Women’s Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco and Algeria topped Group A after a goalless draw with Senegal; Morocco advanced on seven points as Senegal bowed out despite late pressure and two saved penalties by goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye. Sports Culture: The Diaz penalty-miss saga resurfaced online after Morocco’s missed spot-kicks, with Senegalese mockery and a Moroccan response reigniting the rivalry. Public Finance: The African Development Bank approved a 20 billion CFA franc ($35.4m) package to strengthen Senegal’s public finance management, boost domestic revenue, and improve transparency after debt disclosures. Digital Sovereignty: Senegal’s telecoms ministry convened stakeholders in Dakar to align a Government Enterprise Architecture with the New Deal Technologique DPI strategy, pushing for more coherent public digital systems. Border Tensions (Senegal–Gambia): Border-area farmers reported pressure to stop cultivating amid claims of Senegalese territory, while officials say talks are ongoing at the highest level. LGBTQ Crackdown: Senegal police arrested eight women on lesbianism charges, highlighting the widening impact of the country’s tightened anti-LGBTQ laws. Football Transfers (Senegalese links): Tottenham are linked with Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea value £65m) and Liverpool are reportedly pushing to sign Ibrahim Mbaye from PSG; Senegalese defender Abdoulaye Faye joined Celta Vigo on loan. UN Politics: Reuters reports another UN Security Council informal poll is aimed for Aug 21 to pick Antonio Guterres’ successor, with Rebeca Grynspan leading early.

AfDB Financing Boost: The African Development Bank approved a 20 billion CFA franc (about $35.4m) package to strengthen Senegal’s public finance management, improve revenue collection, and push transparency as the country works through fiscal confidence issues. Border Tensions With The Gambia: Senegalese security actions in the Bulock area are still reverberating for farmers; the Gambia’s UDP leader Darboe urged Diomaye Faye to halt evictions until after the rainy season, while reports say some affected farmers are expected to return to their fields soon. LGBTQ Crackdown: Senegal police arrested eight women on “lesbianism” charges, as campaigners warn the anti-gay law is tightening and women are now being targeted too. Aviation Link: Air Transat will make the Montreal–Dakar route year-round, adding winter flights to serve Senegalese communities in Quebec. Football Transfers: Tottenham are reportedly pushing to sign Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, with a £65m asking price mentioned, while Senegal defender Abdoulaye Faye joined Celta Vigo on loan. Digital Sovereignty: Senegal’s telecom ministry met stakeholders in Dakar on a Government Enterprise Architecture to align the DPI strategy with digital sovereignty goals.

UN Secretary-General Race: Denmark’s UN Security Council presidency says another informal poll is aimed for August 21, after the first straw poll left Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan leading and Senegal’s Macky Sall trailing. Senegal Diplomacy & Borders: UDP leader Ousainu Darboe urged President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to step in urgently to stop evictions tied to the Gambia–Senegal border dispute that could disrupt farmers. Grand Magal Safety: Ahead of Touba’s Grand Magal, Senegal’s fire brigade reported 12 deaths in road accidents since July 28, alongside hundreds of emergency interventions. Digital Sovereignty: Senegal’s telecom ministry met stakeholders in Dakar to align a Government Enterprise Architecture with the New Deal Technologique DPI strategy, pushing for stronger digital sovereignty. Football Abroad: Senegal’s Abdoulaye Faye joined Celta Vigo on loan; Étoile du Sahel signed Ousmane Yéri Diakhaté on a three-year deal. Ceuta Migration Fallout: Reports from Spain’s enclave show the Ceuta surge was rapidly reversed, with tens of thousands returning to Morocco within days—highlighting the risks Senegalese migrants face on the route.

Senegal-Morocco Digital Pact: Senegal’s ICT minister Samba Diouf met Morocco’s ambassador Hassan Naciri to deepen cooperation in digital entrepreneurship, tech services, innovation ecosystems, and joint investment aimed at jobs. UN Secretary-General Race: In the UN Security Council’s first informal straw poll, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan led with 10 “encourage” votes, followed by Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi; Senegal’s Macky Sall also remains in the field. Grand Magal Safety: Ahead of Touba’s Grand Magal pilgrimage, Senegal’s fire brigade reported 12 deaths and 136 injuries in road accidents during the emergency response period, with hundreds of interventions and large deployments of personnel and vehicles. Border Tensions (Senegal-Gambia): Senegal and Gambia agreed on border demarcation after the Bulock incident; joint border activities are set to resume on August 15. Human Rights Spotlight: A report highlights boys as young as five forced to beg in Senegal’s streets, with advocates saying some Qur’anic teachers profit from the practice. Football Transfers: Senegal defender Abdoulaye Faye joined Celta Vigo on loan from Bayer Leverkusen; elsewhere, Swansea are reportedly close to signing Senegal midfielder Ousseynou Fall Seck.

UN Secretary-General race: Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica) leads the UN Security Council’s first informal straw poll to replace António Guterres, with Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana) second; Macky Sall (Senegal) also remains in the field but is reported to be trailing. Migration crisis in Ceuta: After tens of thousands of migrants entered Spain’s North Africa enclave from Morocco, Spain says the situation is “almost entirely reversed,” with most returning; Senegalese migrants among those caught in the chaos described hunger and uncertainty, while deaths in the crossing were reported at 67. Senegal football transfers: Étoile du Sahel signed Senegalese midfielder Ousmane Yéri Diakhaté on a three-year deal, and Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr is linked with a potential move to Fenerbahce. Road safety ahead of Grand Magal: Senegal’s fire services report at least 12 deaths and 136 injured in traffic accidents in the lead-up to Touba’s Grand Magal pilgrimage. Economy watch: UNCTAD data says Senegal’s foreign direct investment fell sharply in 2025, down about 90% from 2024.

Ceuta Migration Crisis: Spain says almost all of the roughly 60,000 migrants who entered the North Africa enclave of Ceuta from Morocco over days have left, after EU countries tightened border controls; Spanish authorities report 67 deaths during crossings, including drownings and stampede incidents, while Senegalese migrants told AFP they returned because Ceuta wasn’t a route into mainland Europe. Road Safety for Grand Magal: Ahead of Touba’s Grand Magal pilgrimage, Senegal’s National Fire Brigade reports 12 deaths and 136 injuries in 68 road accidents, with hundreds of emergency interventions and water distribution as pilgrims flood in. UN Leadership Race: Senegal’s Macky Sall is among candidates for UN Secretary-General, but a first UN Security Council straw poll puts Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan in front, with Senegalese politics also tied to the process after Sall’s bid drew criticism. Senegal-Gambia Border Tensions: Senegal and Gambia move to resume joint border activities from Aug 15 after earlier Bulock clashes, while farmers in Gambisara and Sabi report Senegalese officers ordering them to stop cultivating. WAFCON Update: Senegal’s women beat Kenya 1-0 as Seynabou Mbengue scored, keeping qualification hopes alive. Football Transfers: Étoile du Sahel signs Senegalese defender Ousmane Yéri Diakhaté on a three-year deal; elsewhere, Swansea reportedly agrees a deal for Senegalese midfielder Ousseynou Fall Seck.

Ceuta Migration Shock: Spain says almost all of the tens of thousands of migrants who entered the North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco have left, after EU border controls tightened. Officials put the death toll from the crossing at 67, with Senegalese migrants among those caught in the rush. Road Safety for Grand Magal: Ahead of Touba’s Grand Magal pilgrimage, Senegal’s fire services report 12 deaths and 136 injuries in 68 road accidents, with hundreds of emergency interventions and extra water distribution. UN Leadership Race: Senegal’s former president Macky Sall received only six votes in the UN Security Council’s first informal straw poll for the next Secretary-General, while Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan emerged as the early frontrunner. Senegal-Gambia Border Tensions: Senegalese officers have ordered farmers in Gambisara and Sabi to stop cultivating, as both countries move toward renewed joint border activities from August 15 after earlier Bulock clashes. WAFCON Update: Senegal’s women beat Kenya 1-0 in Group A, with Seynabou Mbengue scoring, keeping qualification hopes alive.

Ceuta Migration Crackdown: Almost all of the tens of thousands of migrants who entered Spain’s Ceuta enclave from Morocco have returned by Saturday as EU border controls tightened; Spanish officials said the situation was “almost entirely reversed,” with dozens of Senegalese among those caught in the rush and updated death tolls reported from dangerous crossings. Grand Magal Safety: Ahead of Touba’s Grand Magal pilgrimage, Senegal’s National Fire Brigade reported 12 deaths and 136 injured in 68 road accidents in the hours leading up to the event, with hundreds of emergency interventions and large deployments of personnel and vehicles. UN Leadership Race: Former Senegal President Macky Sall’s bid for UN chief hit a snag in the Security Council’s first informal straw poll, while Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan emerged as the early frontrunner; the process remains non-binding with more rounds expected. Senegal–Gambia Border Deal: Senegal and The Gambia reached an agreement on border demarcation after the Bulock military dispute, with joint border activities set to resume on August 15. WAFCON Focus: Senegal’s women beat Kenya 1-0 in Group A, keeping qualification hopes alive as Kenya’s tournament momentum took another hit.

UN Leadership Race: The UN Security Council held its first confidential straw poll on Thursday to gauge support for Antonio Guterres’ successor, with Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica) emerging early frontrunner (10 “encourage” votes), followed by Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (9) and Rafael Grossi (7). Gambia–Senegal Border: Senegal and Gambia agreed on border demarcation after the Bulock military dispute; joint border activities are set to resume August 15 to reinforce and mark the frontier. ECOWAS–Sahel Diplomacy: Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye began a high-stakes visit to Mali as incoming ECOWAS chair, aiming to rebuild ties with the Alliance of Sahel States and push dialogue over confrontation. Economy & Energy: UNCTAD data shows Senegal’s foreign direct investment fell nearly 90% in 2025 (to $337m) after the oil-and-gas construction boom; meanwhile, Senegal’s navy deployed marine commandos to help restore electricity in flood-hit Linguère.

Border Deal: Senegal and The Gambia have reached an agreement on southern border demarcation after the Bulock military incident, with joint border activities set to resume on August 15 along key stretches from Touba Tranquil–Dar Salam to Saré Yoro Guèye–Jahanka. UN Leadership Race: In the first confidential UN Security Council straw poll, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan leads the race to replace António Guterres, ahead of Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, as multiple rounds are expected. ECOWAS-Diplomacy: Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye begins a high-stakes visit to Mali as ECOWAS chair, aiming to rebuild ties with the Alliance of Sahel States and push dialogue over confrontation. Economy & Energy: UNCTAD data shows Senegal’s foreign direct investment fell about 90% in 2025, while offshore Sangomar production performance supports talks on a possible Phase 2 expansion. Flood Response: Senegal’s navy deployed marine commandos to help restore electricity in Linguère after heavy rains damaged the grid. Sports & Culture: Senegal beat Kenya 1-0 in WAFCON 2026; meanwhile, Dakar opened an exhibition of ancient Chinese clothing culture at the Museum of Black Civilizations.

UN Leadership Race: The UN Security Council kicked off its confidential straw poll for António Guterres’ successor, with Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan emerging early frontrunner (10 “encourage” votes). ECOWAS Diplomacy: Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye began his first trip to Mali as ECOWAS chair, aiming to restart dialogue with the Sahel states after their ECOWAS exit. Senegal–Gambia Border Deal: Senegal and The Gambia sealed a final agreement on their southern border delimitation, with joint marking set to resume Aug. 15 after the Bulock wall incident. Senegal Football Crisis: A new dispute over Pape Thiaw’s contract compensation is escalating between Senegal’s Sports Ministry and the Football Federation. Marine Aquaculture: Senegal launched its first marine aquaculture pilot with floating fish cages off Diakhanor (Palmarin), targeting jobs and reduced pressure on traditional fishing. Sports Transfers: Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye is reportedly close to joining Saudi’s Al Hilal, raising fresh concerns for Everton’s attack.