AGP Executive Report

Nouakchott Power Relief: Morocco sent a specialized technical team, equipment, and supplies to help restore electricity after two fires hit Nouakchott transformer stations, with SOMELEC reporting gradual power returns and an alternative substation installed to cover about 60% of the affected load. Film Festival Spotlight: The VII International Lendoc Film Festival (LEFF) wrapped in St. Petersburg, with Mauritania among the participating countries and awards going to films like “Black, Red, Yellow” (Best Film) and “Song of the Djinns” (Best Director). Football Talent Watch: Mauritanian winger Djeidi Gassama is reportedly drawing bids from Serie A clubs for a Rangers move, after a standout season that saw him score nine goals and provide six assists. Beach Soccer Qualifiers: Nigeria and Ghana were drawn in Beach Soccer AFCON qualifiers, and Mauritania’s past away-goals win over Nigeria is highlighted as the teams chase a spot in the finals in Senegal. Arts & Culture From Space: NASA astronaut Jessica Meir photographed Mauritania’s “Eye of Africa” (Richat Structure) from the ISS, turning a natural ringed geology into a striking visual “art” moment.

Mauritanian Football Transfer Buzz: Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama (22) is drawing fresh interest, with 8AC Monza and Parma Calcio reported to have made offers after Foot Mercato said €7m wasn’t enough for Glasgow, where the club wants more before a deal for the 2029-contract winger. Nouakchott Power Crisis: Morocco sent a technical team, equipment, and supplies to help restore electricity after two fires hit Nouakchott transformer stations (Toujounine and Tevragh Zeina), with SOMELEC reporting gradual returns to affected neighborhoods and a replacement substation installed to cover part of the load. Beach Sports & Mauritania Connection: Nigeria and Ghana were drawn in Beach Soccer AFCON qualifiers, and Mauritania’s Supersand Eagles are referenced as the team that knocked Nigeria out in 2024 on away goals after a 10-10 aggregate. Film Festival Spotlight: The VII Lendoc Film Festival wrapped in St. Petersburg, with Mauritania among participating countries, and awards going to “Black, Red, Yellow” (Best Film) and other top prizes across directing, screenplay, and acting. Sports TV for Fans: Newcastle United vs West Brom has global broadcast listings, including Pan Africa coverage via SuperSport Extra (delayed) for viewers tracking major football nights.

Power Restoration in Nouakchott: Morocco sent a technical team, equipment, and supplies to help restore electricity after two transformer-station fires left parts of Nouakchott without power for up to about 72 hours; SOMELEC says power has returned to several neighborhoods as crews work on the western substation. Football & Beach Soccer: Nigeria were drawn against Ghana in the second round of the 2026 Beach Soccer AFCON qualifiers, with the first leg set for Oct. 9–11; Mauritania’s beach soccer success is recalled after knocking Nigeria out on away goals in 2024. Mauritania in the Spotlight via Sports Media: The UCI confirmed global broadcaster options for the 2026 Mountain Bike World Championships in Italy, including Pan Africa coverage via SuperSport Extra (available in Mauritania). Local Club Watch: Nouadhibou will face Maghreb Fes in a pre-season friendly in Fez on Aug. 27 ahead of the CAF Champions League. Regional Arts & Culture: The VII Lendoc Film Festival wrapped up in St. Petersburg, with Mauritania among the participating countries, and awards going to films and performances across Central Asia and beyond. Economy & Living Standards: Nigeria ranked 56th among the world’s 60 poorest countries by GDP-PPP per capita in 2026, with most of the bottom list dominated by African nations.

Power & Community: Morocco and Senegal rushed technical teams, equipment, and supplies to Nouakchott after two transformer fires (Toujounine and Tevragh Zeina) left parts of the capital without electricity for up to 72 hours; SOMELEC says power was gradually restored in affected neighborhoods while crews repaired the western substation and installed an alternative to cover much of the load. Sports & Culture: Nouadhibou will face Morocco’s Maghreb Fes in a pre-season friendly on Aug. 27 in Fez ahead of the CAF Champions League, a useful tune-up for both sides. Film & Creativity: The VII International Lendoc Film Festival wrapped in St. Petersburg, with “Black, Red, Yellow” winning Best Film and Mauritania among the participating countries. Media & Identity: Political analyst Samir Bennis challenged Spanish media portrayals of Taleb Alisalem as a “Morocco expert,” raising questions about how he’s framed in coverage of Morocco and Western Sahara. Arts from Afar: UCI shared global broadcaster listings for the 2026 Mountain Bike World Championships in Italy, including Pan Africa access via SuperSport Extra.

Football & Business: FIFA’s proposed “Forward Enterprise” funding plan is sparking a power struggle, with UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin telling Gianni Infantino to “remember he is a European,” while several African leaders—including Mauritania’s—back Infantino as the model could nearly triple development support for member federations. Mauritania Sports: Nouadhibou is set for a pre-season CAF Champions League warm-up in Fez, facing Maghreb Fes on Aug. 27—an away test to sharpen tactics and match fitness before the continental opener. Arts & Media: A wave of backlash is hitting major YouTube creators over AI-related promotions, after videos and “partnership” offers for an AI video platform appeared to blur the line between innovation and paid advertising. Space & Culture: NASA astronaut Jessica Meir shared a striking “Eye of Africa” photo from the ISS—Mauritania’s Richat Structure seen as concentric rings from space. Civic Life: A new regional look at civic space says Mauritania has improved in recent evaluations, highlighting how room for civil society and media can strengthen transparency and public accountability.

Football Politics: FIFA’s proposed “Forward Enterprise” funding plan is sparking a power struggle, with UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin telling Infantino to “remember he is a European,” while African football leaders—including Mauritania’s—back Infantino as the model could nearly triple support for member federations. Mauritania Sports: FC Nouadhibou will face Morocco’s Maghreb Fes in a pre-season friendly in Fez on Aug. 27 ahead of the CAF Champions League, a key test for fitness and tactics. Arts & Media: YouTube creators are facing backlash after promoting AI video tools and accepting AI-related money, raising questions about undisclosed partnerships and audience trust. Space & Culture: NASA astronaut Jessica Meir photographed Mauritania’s “Eye of Africa” (Richat Structure) from the ISS, turning a geology landmark into a fresh visual art moment. Regional Diplomacy: Foreign ministers from 12 countries, including Mauritania, condemned Israeli strikes on a Syrian military airport, calling them a violation of sovereignty and urging withdrawal.

Football on TV: Newcastle United take on Liverpool in a Premier League opener with global channel listings shared for viewers. Mauritania in diplomacy: Foreign ministers from 12 countries, including Mauritania, condemned Israeli strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur military airport and urged withdrawal under international law. Civic space & reform: A new analysis highlights how civic freedoms matter for African economies, noting Mauritania’s recent improvement in civic conditions. AI & creators: Major YouTube creators face backlash after promoting an AI video platform without clear ads, sparking debate about paid partnerships. Sports in the region: FC Nouadhibou will play Maghreb Fes in Fez on Aug. 27 ahead of the CAF Champions League. Space & heritage: NASA astronaut Jessica Meir photographed Mauritania’s “Eye of Africa” (Richat Structure) from the ISS. Culture & food: A look at why Friday couscous still anchors Moroccan family life every week. Energy news: Senegal confirms top leadership participation in MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 in Dakar, with Mauritania tied to the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project.

Football on TV: Newcastle United take on Liverpool in a Premier League opener, with global channel listings shared for fans tuning in from around the world. Civic space & reform: A new analysis highlights how civic freedoms matter for African economies, noting improvements in countries including Mauritania. AI in entertainment: YouTube creators face backlash after promoting an AI video tool without clear ad labels, sparking a wider debate on creator partnerships and transparency. Mauritania in the spotlight: Mauritania is named among foreign ministers condemning Israeli strikes on a Syrian military airport, calling it a dangerous escalation and a violation of sovereignty. Cross-border adventure: Lynk & Co 08 is featured as the official vehicle for QUEST DAKAR 2026, driving a 3,200+ km desert expedition through Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. Sports prep: FC Nouadhibou set for a pre-season friendly against Maghreb Fes in Fez ahead of the CAF Champions League. Culture & tradition: A look at why Friday couscous still anchors Moroccan family life every week. Migration at Ceuta: Morocco and Spain step up security after another thwarted mass attempt to reach Ceuta, following the deadly late-July surge.

Diplomacy & Security: Foreign ministers from 12 countries, including Mauritania, condemned Israeli strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur military airport, calling them a dangerous escalation and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty, and urged withdrawal from occupied Syrian territories. Civic Space: A new analysis highlights how civic freedoms shape African economies, noting that Mauritania (along with Senegal and Gabon) improved in recent evaluations—an encouraging sign for arts, media, and public participation. Entertainment & Media: The Verge reports backlash against major YouTube creators for promoting AI video tools without clear ads, raising questions about transparency in entertainment tech. Sports: FC Nouadhibou will face Maghreb Fes in Fez on Aug. 27 in a key CAF Champions League pre-season friendly. Culture & Travel: NASA astronaut Jessica Meir photographed Mauritania’s “Eye of Africa” (Richat Structure) from space, turning geology into a striking visual moment. Football & Community: Nouadhibou’s continental build-up continues as clubs and fans look ahead to the next CAF campaign.

Diplomacy & Conflict: Foreign ministers from 12 countries, including Mauritania, condemned Israeli airstrikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur military airport, calling them a dangerous escalation and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty, and urged withdrawal from occupied Syrian territories. Sports (Mauritania): FC Nouadhibou will face Maghreb Fes in a pre-season friendly in Fez on Aug. 27, as both clubs fine-tune for the CAF Champions League. Culture & Travel (Mauritania): NASA astronaut Jessica Meir shared a striking space photo of Mauritania’s Richat Structure—the “Eye of Africa”—a natural ringed geologic formation visible from orbit. Energy (Region): Senegal confirmed President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Energy Minister Dr. El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf for MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 in Dakar (Dec. 1–3), highlighting growing MSGBC investment and the Mauritania–Senegal LNG link. Football & Entertainment (Global): Newcastle’s friendlies against Strasbourg and Leverkusen are listed for global TV viewers.

Regional Diplomacy & Security: Malaysia and 11 other foreign ministers, including Mauritania, condemned Israeli strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase as an “extreme escalation” and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty, urging a firm international response. Civic Space Watch: A new analysis highlights how civic freedoms matter for African economies, noting Mauritania’s recent improvement in civic conditions alongside Senegal and Gabon. AI & Media Backlash: Major YouTube creators face backlash after promoting AI video tools without clear ad labels, raising questions about paid partnerships and trust with audiences. Mauritania in the Spotlight (Science/Art): NASA astronaut Jessica Meir photographed Mauritania’s Richat Structure—“the Eye of Africa”—from the ISS, turning a natural formation into a striking visual moment. Football (Pre-season): FC Nouadhibou will face Maghreb Fes in Fez on Aug. 27 ahead of the CAF Champions League, a key fitness test before continental play. Sports Culture (Motorsport): Coverage of the Dakar Rally’s return and its “desert adventure” legacy keeps the region’s motorsport energy in focus.

AI & Creators Backlash: Major YouTube filmmakers are reacting to Higgsfield’s AI video push after creators shared “partnership” screenshots and posted AI demos that fans read like ads, raising questions about whether the promos were paid. Mauritania–Morocco–Spain Context: A debate piece challenges claims that Morocco planned to seize the Canary Islands, stressing Morocco’s historical stance and the wider regional politics around Ceuta. Ceuta Migration Crackdown: Spain’s enclave saw another thwarted mass attempt as Morocco detained 294 people and used tear gas, following the deadly July surge. Football (Nouadhibou): FC Nouadhibou will face Maghreb Fes in Fez on Aug. 27 ahead of the CAF Champions League. Space Wonder (Richat): NASA astronaut Jessica Meir shared a new “Eye of Africa” (Richat Structure) photo from the ISS, spotlighting Mauritania’s iconic geology. Energy & Regional Ties: Senegal’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power confirms President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Mauritania-linked LNG momentum as the region markets investment.

Mauritania in Space: NASA astronaut Jessica Meir shared a striking photo of the Richat Structure—Mauritania’s “Eye of Africa”—a natural 40km-wide ringed geological formation visible from orbit. Motorsport & Mobility: Lynk & Co 08 served as official vehicle for QUEST DAKAR 2026, driving a 3,200+ km desert route from Casablanca through Dakhla, Nouakchott and Saint-Louis to Dakar. Football Governance: Six Arab federations—including Mauritania’s—issued “full support” for FIFA chief Gianni Infantino amid a political rift after his failed plan to bring private investors into World Cup commercial rights. Local Football Prep: FC Nouadhibou will face Morocco’s Maghreb Fes in a pre-season friendly on Aug. 27 ahead of the CAF Champions League. Sports on TV: Newcastle United friendlies (vs Strasbourg and Bayer Leverkusen) have global broadcast listings for fans across Africa and beyond. Migration Watch (Region): Morocco and Spain boosted security around Ceuta after a July mass attempt, with hundreds of migrants reportedly blocked again.

Desert Adventure & Mobility: Lynk & Co 08 was named official vehicle for QUEST DAKAR 2026, driving a 3,200+ km desert route linking Casablanca to Dakar via Dakhla, Nouakchott and Saint-Louis, showcasing range, comfort and onboard tech across Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal. Space & Culture Spotlight: NASA astronaut Jessica Meir shared a striking ISS photo of Mauritania’s Richat Structure—“the Eye of Africa”—a natural 40 km-wide ringed geological formation first photographed from space in 1965. Football (Mauritania on the Continental Map): Nouadhibou will face Maghreb Fes in Fez on Aug. 27 as a key pre-season friendly ahead of the CAF Champions League. FIFA Politics (Arab Football): Six Arab federations—including Mauritania—publicly backed FIFA chief Gianni Infantino with “full support” amid a wider revolt over his failed World Cup private-investment plan. Regional Human Stories: 35 Mauritanians detained in Mali returned home, with Mauritania alleging some were tortured and calling the accusations against them unfounded.

Mauritania in CAF spotlight: Nouadhibou will face Morocco’s Maghreb Fes in a pre-season friendly in Fez on August 27, a key tune-up ahead of the CAF Champions League qualifiers, with both clubs using the match to test tactics and build match fitness. FIFA politics with a Mauritanian link: Six Arab football federations—including Mauritania—issued a joint statement backing FIFA president Gianni Infantino amid a growing revolt over his failed plan to bring private investors into World Cup commercial rights; the support comes as more associations publicly withdraw confidence. Regional security and Mauritanian citizens: Thirty-five Mauritanians detained in Mali have returned home, with Mauritania’s government alleging some were tortured and calling the suspicions unfounded, after embassy intervention in Bamako. Sports on TV (for fans): Listings circulated for Newcastle United friendlies (vs Strasbourg and vs Bayer Leverkusen), useful for readers tracking international football coverage. Climate and culture context: A wider Africa brief highlights climate-driven wildfires and flooding across North and West Africa, while a separate feature explains why Morocco’s Friday couscous remains a weekly family ritual.

CAF Football: Nouadhibou will face Morocco’s Maghreb Fes in a pre-season friendly in Fez on August 27, a key tune-up ahead of the CAF Champions League preliminary round, with both sides using the match to test tactics and build match fitness. Sports Media: Fans can also catch Newcastle United friendlies via global TV listings, including the clash with Strasbourg and another with Bayer Leverkusen, with broadcasters listed for multiple countries. FIFA Politics: Six Arab football federations—Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon and Sudan—publicly backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino amid a wider revolt after his failed World Cup private-investment plan, keeping the pressure on as his re-election bid looms. Mauritania in the News: Thirty-five Mauritanians returned from Mali detention after alleged mistreatment and torture claims, following intervention by Mauritania’s embassy in Bamako. Migration & Borders: Morocco and Spain tightened security after another thwarted mass attempt to reach Ceuta, with hundreds detained and tear gas reported as authorities respond to renewed social-media calls for crossings.