AGP Executive Report

Arab Cinema: Cairo’s 47th International Film Festival will screen 145 films from 64 countries from November 11–20, with 17 world premieres and a programme spanning features, shorts and restored classics. African Football: Mauritanian Football Federation president Ahmed Yahya is among CAF executives opposing a proposal to keep the Africa Cup of Nations on a two-year cycle; the debate over the tournament’s future continues. Film: Ghanaian migrant Ousman Umar’s life story inspired North to Paradise, a debut feature following a young man’s journey toward Barcelona that recently screened at France’s Saint-Jean-de-Luz Film Festival.

Film: Cairo International Film Festival has unveiled its 47th edition, running November 11–20 with international and Arab films, restored Egyptian classics, workshops and industry events. African Football: Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya is among two CAF executive members reportedly opposing AFCON’s traditional two-year schedule; their reasons have not been disclosed. Mauritanian Players Abroad: Rangers beat Kilmarnock 3–1, with Mauritanian international Djeidi Gassama involved in the attack as the Glasgow side moved top of the table.

African Football: Mauritanian Football Federation chief Ahmed Yahya reportedly opposes holding AFCON every two years, adding his voice to debate over the tournament’s future. Mauritanian international Djeidi Gassama also featured as Rangers beat Kilmarnock 3-1. Film: Cairo’s 47th International Film Festival has announced a programme of international and Arab films, restored Egyptian classics, workshops and industry events for November 11–20.

Poetry: Mauritania’s House of Poetry has published issue 86 of Al Qawafi, featuring essays on poetic themes and Arabic meters, interviews with poets and critics, and a profile of poet Tarafa ibn al-Abd. Football: Benin’s 3-0 loss to Argentina in Lionel Messi’s farewell match followed a 2-1 qualifying win over Mauritania, a result that helped build the Cheetahs’ confidence ahead of the high-profile friendly.

Football: Benin’s 2-1 win over Mauritania featured in coverage of the team’s Argentina friendly and Lionel Messi’s farewell match. Literature: Issue 86 of Al Qawafi explores Arabic poetry through essays, interviews and features on poetic forms and themes.

Power and Politics: Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay resigned Friday after a review of August’s transformer fires found serious shortcomings in prevention, work supervision and emergency response. The outages left parts of Nouakchott without power for several days. Literature: Mauritania’s House of Poetry has published issue 86 of Al Qawafi, featuring essays on poetic themes, interviews and writing on Arabic verse.

Football: Benin’s Argentina friendlies, including Lionel Messi’s farewell match, drew criticism over long travel delays, poor hotel and training conditions, and African associations receiving none of the reported match profits. Benin had recently beaten Mauritania 2–1 in AFCON qualifying. Poetry: Mauritania’s House of Poetry has published issue 86 of Al Qawafi, featuring essays, interviews and poetry on Arabic verse and its themes.

African Football: Lionel Messi bowed out of Argentina duty with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin. The farewell was overshadowed by complaints from the Benin delegation about long travel, poor hotel and training conditions, and no share of match revenue. Benin had recently beaten Mauritania 2-1 in AFCON qualifying. Poetry: House of Poetry has published issue 86 of Al Qawafi, featuring essays on poetic themes and Arabic metre, plus an interview with poet Mohammed Jalal Al-Sayegh.

Beach Soccer: Mauritania hosts Côte d’Ivoire in Nouakchott on Oct. 18 in the second leg of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The winner will book a place at the 2026 tournament in Senegal.

Poetry: House of Poetry has published issue 86 of Al Qawafi, featuring essays on Arabic poetic themes, interviews with poets and critics, and a profile of poet Tarafa ibn al-Abd. Beach Soccer: Ghanaian official Robinson Jasper has been named reserve referee for Mauritania’s October 18 qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire in Nouakchott. The winner will advance to the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

Photography: The Andrei Stenin photo exhibition has opened in Durban, showcasing 30 award-winning images from young photojournalists. Its international tour also stopped in Mauritania. Beach Soccer: Mauritania hosts Côte d’Ivoire in Nouakchott on October 18, with a place at the Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal at stake. Poetry: Issue 86 of Al Qawafi, published by the House of Poetry, explores Arabic poetic themes, including pride, poetic meters and the image of gray hair in verse.

Football: Mauritania’s beach soccer team hosts Côte d’Ivoire on October 18 in the second leg of their AFCON qualifier; the winner advances to the tournament in Senegal. Poetry & Publishing: Issue 86 of Al Qawafi features essays, interviews and poetry exploring Arabic verse, including its themes, meters and imagery. International Football: Lionel Messi signed off from Argentina with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin, which recently beat Mauritania 2-1 in AFCON qualifying.

Messi Farewell in Buenos Aires: Lionel Messi played his final Argentina match in a friendly vs Benin at Estadio Monumental, finishing with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win, while fans and players marked the moment with a dramatic drone show that briefly turned into a bank advertisement before forming a Messi shirt. Mauritania in the Sports Spotlight: Ghanaian official Robinson Jasper was named reserve referee for the Beach Soccer AFCON qualifier second leg between Mauritania and Côte d’Ivoire in Nouakchott on Oct. 18. Culture & Reading in Mauritania: House of Poetry published issue 86 of Al Qawafi, featuring interviews, criticism, and poetry themes ranging from “Pride” to “Poetic Themes.” Regional Health Gains: The Ouagadougou Partnership marked 15 years of progress in SRHR and family planning across West Africa, including work with Mauritania. Arts & Community: A fine art photographer’s autumn exhibition highlights how seasonal color becomes a short-lived metaphor for life.

Messi Farewell Match: Lionel Messi’s final Argentina appearance is set for Tuesday at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, with Benin the surprise opponent—an emotional “last dance” that also marks a first-ever matchup for both sides. Benin Spotlight: Benin’s “Cheetahs” arrive with momentum after strong recent results, including a win over Mauritania, and will aim to spoil Argentina’s tribute night. Mauritania in the Mix: Mauritania is referenced in Benin’s recent form, and local sports news also lands: Ghanaian referee Robinson Jasper has been appointed reserve referee for the Nouakchott leg of the 2026 Beach Soccer AFCON qualifier between Mauritania and Côte d’Ivoire. Regional Health & Women’s Rights: The Ouagadougou Partnership highlights 15 years of SRHR and family planning gains across West Africa, including Mauritania. Culture & Publishing: House of Poetry publishes issue 86 of Al Qawafi, with interviews and literary coverage spanning Arabic poetic themes and city-of-the-poem features. Arts & Media: Radio Is a Foreign Country relaunches its archival radio project as a 24/7 transmission, spotlighting global sounds—including Mauritanian national radio. Sports Streaming Buzz: October 2026 streaming guides keep trending, with Netflix, Prime Video, and Tubi adding new films and series.

Football & Farewell: Lionel Messi is set to bid Argentina and its fans goodbye tonight in a friendly at Estadio Monumental against Benin, with the match framed as his final official appearance and a spotlight on who will wear the No. 10 and captain role next. Benin Profile: Benin’s “Cheetahs” arrive with momentum, including recent results involving Mauritania, and are backed by young talents playing abroad. Mauritania in the Mix: Mauritania shows up in regional football context—Benin’s recent win over Mauritania and a Nouakchott beach soccer qualifier where Ghana’s Robinson Jasper is named reserve referee. Culture & Reading: Nouakchott’s literary scene gets a boost as the House of Poetry publishes issue 86 of Al Qawafi. Women’s Empowerment: A SWEDD parliamentary delegation visited Mauritania’s Parliament, linking regional action to reproductive health and women’s empowerment. Public Finance: The Council of Ministers approved an Amending Finance Bill for 2024, aiming to align spending with the president’s program and speed major projects. Humanitarian Focus: International Day of Older Persons highlights protecting elderly people in conflict and disaster zones.

Parliament & Women’s Health: A SWEDD delegation from Sahel women’s empowerment and reproductive health member countries visited Mauritania’s Parliament in Nouakchott, meeting MP Sidna Soukhna and discussing the Nouakchott Declaration to build a regional network of parliamentarians. Arts & Literature: House of Poetry published issue 86 of Al Qawafi, featuring editorials and sections on Arabic poetic meters, pride in poetry, interviews with poet Mohammed Jalal Al-Sayegh, and discussions ranging from Moroccan city life in verse to themes like gray hair in Arabic poetry. Public Finance: The Council of Ministers approved an amending Finance Bill for 2024, aiming to align spending with the “My Ambition for the Homeland” programme, speed major projects, and adjust the state budget architecture for better resource allocation. Humanitarian Focus: International Day of Older Persons coverage highlights protecting elderly people in conflict and disaster zones, stressing health, shelter, and community support. Football (Regional): Ghanaian referee Robinson Jasper was appointed reserve official for the Mauritania–Côte d’Ivoire Beach Soccer AFCON qualifier in Nouakchott. Sports Culture (Streaming): Lists on Netflix/Prime/Tubi spotlight October 2026 releases, from new series to Halloween-friendly picks.