AGP Executive Report

Haiti Gangs Crackdown: The UN-backed Gang Suppression Force is moving from talk to boots-on-the-ground, with Chadian troops already in Port-au-Prince and the force expected to be operational next June as more personnel roll in. Libya Deadlock: A renewed US push is floating a more “managed” power-sharing plan, aiming for elections by 2027 while the country’s east-west split still blocks real unity. Chad in the Spotlight: Chad’s tourism momentum is rising—desert expedition operators are planning new routes to the Ennedi Plateau—while health officials in eastern Chad are running a high-stakes bird-flu style simulation that highlights how fast outbreaks could spread. Trade & Ports: Morocco is pouring billions into new ports and ship repair capacity to lock in logistics dominance. World Cup Travel: US visa bans could keep fans from 39 countries out of the 2026 tournament, including many from Chad.

US–China Diplomacy: Macron’s China visit is being weighed against Trump’s much-hyped trip, with the takeaway: big talk, limited breakthroughs, and China playing hard to move while the US juggles Europe, Ukraine, and Gulf tensions. Wildlife Discovery: A “lost” Sahel bird—the Rusty Lark—has been photographed for the first time in 94 years in Chad’s Guéra region, reigniting hope for other vanishing species. Haiti Security: The UN-backed Gang Suppression Force is slowly scaling up, with Chadian troops already in place and more personnel expected to become operational next month as violence keeps surging. Public Health Drill: Chad is part of a WHO simulation after reports of a possible new bird-flu variant raised fears—especially around whether countries will notify fast enough. Travel & Sports: US World Cup travel bans are still blocking many fans, including nationals from Chad, while adventure tourism interest in Chad’s Ennedi Plateau is rising.

Haiti’s Gang Crackdown: The UN-backed Gang Suppression Force is finally arriving in Port-au-Prince as violence spikes, with a new force commander (Maj. Gen. Erdenebat Batsuuri) landing amid reports of worsening conditions for civilians. Chad’s Role: Chad’s troops are already on the ground—about 400 officers by late April—with a promised battalion of 1,500, as the mission aims to become operational next June. Funding Watch: The force is backed by a roughly $232m trust fund (most already available) plus $400m in UN funds for logistics and deployment. Regional Spotlight: Cameroon marked its 54th National Day with a fresh lineup of top officials, signaling a generational shift at the top. Health & Risk: A WHO simulation in eastern Chad raised alarms about possible bird flu deaths—while officials hesitate to notify quickly over stigma and economic fallout.

Pandemic Readiness in Chad: A WHO simulation near Nairobi used a scenario from eastern Chad where health workers reported deaths from respiratory failure and suspected a novel bird flu variant—then flagged the real-world snag: Chad’s hesitation to notify the WHO within 24 hours over fear of economic fallout and stigma. Haiti Security Boost: The Gang Supression Force in Haiti is set to go operational next June, with an initial 750 Chadian soldiers already in place and up to 2,000 expected by July, funded via a $232m trust fund plus UN financing. Sahel Travel Buzz: Despite insecurity, Chad and Mauritania are drawing more adventure-tourism interest, with new desert expedition plans and visa reforms helping travellers plan trips to places like Ennedi Plateau.

Haiti Security Update: Chad’s soldiers are already in place as the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) gears up to become operational next June, with 750 Chadian troops in Haiti now and plans to scale toward full deployment by year-end—funded by a $232m trust fund plus $400m in UN support. Sahel Travel Buzz: Despite wider instability, Chad and Mauritania are seeing rising interest from adventure operators, with new desert-expedition plans spotlighting Ennedi Plateau and online visa moves aimed at bringing in more visitors. Regional Humanitarian Pressure: Libya-linked irregular migration fell about 17% in early 2026, while western-border arrivals rose—showing shifting routes rather than a full slowdown. Africa Spotlight: Togo scrapped visas for all African passport holders, while Namibia denied refugee status to Angolan “street kids,” citing economic motives over persecution. Global Politics & Conflict: A US-Iran strike was delayed after Gulf intervention, and Lebanon’s death toll topped 3,000 as displacement orders and cross-border attacks continue.

Haiti Security Rollout: The UN-backed Gang Suppression Force in Haiti is set to go operational next June, with about 750 Chadian troops already in place and hopes to reach the full 5,500 personnel by year-end, funded by a $232m trust fund (most already available) plus $400m in UN financing. Middle East Human Cost: Gaza’s devastation stays in focus, but a new push is calling out the wider silence around other crises in Africa, spotlighting South Sudan and Sudan. UK Politics & Polls: Florida-style political polling drama echoes at home as a Florida politics roundup warns readers to take a widely touted Change Research poll with “a giant pile of salt,” especially where “will you vote” answers shape key matchups. Africa Mobility: Togo scraps entry visa requirements for all African passport holders, aiming to boost free movement and regional trade. Chad in the Spotlight: Tourism interest is rising across the Sahel and southern Sahara, with Chad and Mauritania drawing more adventure travellers as visa systems move online.

Refugee-to-red-carpet breakthrough: Amine Benrachid’s path from leaving Chad at 17, to detention in Libya, to crossing the Med on a dinghy and rebuilding his life in France is now paying off on screen—he’s landed roles since 2020 and stars in Danielle Arbid’s Seuls les rebelles, which opened at Berlinale’s Panorama. Middle East & US politics: A Lebanon death toll above 3,000, fresh displacement orders, and Hezbollah claims of strikes sit alongside a US move to postpone a Tuesday Iran strike after Gulf intervention. UK & migration: A San Diego mosque attack killed three, while UK-linked smuggling gangs are reportedly running a “reverse flow” into France. Africa travel & policy: Togo scraps visas for African passport holders, and Chad and Mauritania are seeing rising Sahara tourism interest as operators expand desert routes. Chad angle: Tourism momentum is growing even as regional instability remains a backdrop.

Travel Bargains & Family Trips: Cheap easyJet flights to Menorca (£43pp) and a slow beach-and-city route via Barcelona, Nîmes and Paris are stealing the spotlight, with readers also swapping practical holiday hacks like cancelling bookings to save big. Home & Health Warnings: Britain’s damp and mould crisis is front and centre (with renters hit hardest), alongside a separate alarm about rogue firms overcharging for unnecessary treatment. Mental Health, Men’s Support: After a friend’s suicide, one man’s “Empty Chairs” pub meet-ups have grown into a global campaign for men to talk. Energy & Rights: A reported prepayment-meter “break-in” and lockout shows how quickly bills and access can turn into a fight. Sahel Travel Interest: Despite instability, Chad and Mauritania are seeing rising adventure-tourism demand, helped by new online visa systems. Nigeria Security: A US lawmaker says Trump is prioritising protection of Nigerian Christians after a joint strike killed an ISIS leader.

Nigeria Security: A US lawmaker says Donald Trump is prioritising protection of Nigerian Christians after a joint Nigerian-American strike killed ISIS’s second-in-command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in the Lake Chad Basin—plus a warning to extremists not to “test” the US resolve. School Safety Push: The same security shock is feeding calls to fast-track state police as fresh school abductions deepen Nigeria’s crisis, with extra policing and humanitarian steps pledged in affected areas. Education Crisis: New reporting flags a worrying slide: more than 100 million African children are still out of school, with progress stalling as population growth outpaces attendance. Chad Travel Watch: Despite wider instability, tourism interest is rising in Chad and Mauritania, helped by online visa systems and new desert expedition plans—especially around Chad’s Ennedi Plateau. UK Money & SEND: UK coverage also turns to lifetime ISA house plans, and the strain of SEND support on families and councils.

Education Crisis: New reporting flags a worrying slide: over 100 million African children are still out of school, with progress stalling as population growth outpaces participation. Health Myths: A major update on PCOS/PMOS is pushing back on long-misleading labels that may delay diagnosis and worsen stigma. Terror & Security: In Nigeria, lawmakers are pointing to a recent US-linked strike against an ISIS leader as a warning to attackers of Christians, while Nigeria’s Senate presses for state police as school abductions deepen the crisis. Migration Pressure: UK-to-France smuggling is shifting into a “reverse flow,” with gangs moving migrants across the Channel to profit from restrictions. Chad Travel Watch: Despite instability, tourism interest is rising in the Sahel—Chad and Mauritania are seeing more adventure travel as online visa systems open doors.

ISIS in Africa: A US strike killed ISIS’s West Africa “shadow commander” Abu-Bilal al-Minuki on May 16, but the group’s top leader is still at large—underscoring how ISIS operates through shifting, hard-to-detect local networks across the Lake Chad region. UK Migration Politics: A “reverse flow” smuggling trade is moving migrants from Kent into France as gangs exploit seasonal work demand and tighter UK visa rules. Sahel Travel Watch: Chad and Mauritania are seeing rising interest from adventure operators, helped by new online visa systems—while security concerns remain a constant backdrop. Chad-Cameroon Trade: Cameroon is pushing port reforms and transit fixes to strengthen the Douala/Kribi-to-N’Djamena corridor for Chad and the Central African Republic. AfCON Qualifiers: The AfCON PAMOJA 2027 group draw is set for Tuesday in Cairo, with hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda guaranteed places.

People-smuggling crackdown: Hundreds of migrants are now being smuggled from Kent into France in a “reverse flow,” with gangs reportedly moving dozens at a time as visa limits and seasonal work demand create new profit routes. AfCON build-up: The D-Day draw for the AfCON PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers is set for Tuesday in Cairo, splitting 48 teams into 12 groups, with hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda guaranteed places. UK health & security: A new warning says China’s control of lifesaving antibiotics is a threat to UK resilience. Sahel travel lift: Chad and Mauritania are seeing rising interest from adventure tourists, helped by online visa systems and new desert expedition plans, even as regional instability continues. Chad logistics: Cameroon is pushing port reforms and transit fixes to strengthen Chad’s trade corridor via Douala/Kribi. Migration snapshot: IOM says irregular flows from Libya fell about 17% in Q1 2026, while western-border arrivals into Libya rose.

Sahel Tourism Push: Chad and Mauritania are seeing a surge in international adventure interest, with operators rolling out deeper desert trips like a planned 17-day Ennedi Plateau expedition in 2027—helped by newer online visa systems aimed at bringing more visitors to remote UNESCO-listed landscapes. Migration Watch: New IOM data says irregular migration flows originating from Libya fell about 17% in Q1 2026, even as arrivals rose on Libya’s western borders with Tunisia and Algeria. Humanitarian Pressure in Chad: UNFPA warns eastern Chad is overwhelmed by more than 1.3 million refugees and returnees from Sudan, with overstretched maternity care and rising risks for women and girls. Travel Industry Update: Minor Hotels is rebranding Anantara Vacation Club to Minor Vacation Club as its timeshare offering expands beyond a single brand.

Energy Shock in Cuba: Cuba says it’s “out of oil,” with blackouts up to 22 hours a day and residents protesting by banging pots—timing that leaves Donald Trump little room to capitalize amid US military strain. UK Politics: In the Greater Manchester by-election fight, Reform is set to hammer Andy Burnham’s pro-EU past, while more Labour figures line up behind him, including the first Cabinet endorsement. Retirement Tax Reality Check: A plan to exempt some state pensioners from income tax would only help about 700,000 people out of 13.2 million—leaving many facing bills once the new state pension clears the frozen £12,570 threshold. Chad on the Move: Tourism push continues with new group trips to Chad’s Ennedi Plateau and a fresh e-visa push, even as UN agencies warn Chad’s refugee crisis is overwhelming maternity care. France-Africa Tensions: Macron’s Africa summit in Nairobi drew backlash over his “shush” moment—promises of big investment still colliding with old optics.

UK Politics: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson became the first Cabinet minister to back Andy Burnham’s return, while also refusing to rule out a future prime minister run—setting up a fresh internal Labour mood after a bruising stretch. Travel & Money: A new wave of holiday planning headaches is hitting Brits: passport expiry rules (including “issued within 10 years” and extra months needed for some countries) are still catching people out, and one reader says they cancelled via a major site and saved $600. Health Habits: Multiple lifestyle pieces are pushing weekly brain-boosters and mid-life routines aimed at energy and memory. Chad Focus: Tourism interest is rising in the Sahel—new group trips to Chad are being marketed alongside visa upgrades—while humanitarian coverage warns Chad’s refugee surge is overwhelming maternity care in the east. Business/Leisure: Minor Hotels is rebranding Anantara Vacation Club to Minor Vacation Club as its timeshare push expands.

Tourism Push (Chad/Sahel): A new 17-day group expedition is set to launch next year into Chad’s Ennedi Plateau, banking on fresh e-visa access and UNESCO-listed scenery to pull visitors back to the Sahara’s “last Saharan crocodiles” and waterholes. Hospitality Update: Minor Hotels is rebranding Anantara Vacation Club to Minor Vacation Club, widening points owners’ access across the group and planning two new club resorts in Japan later this year. Health & Home: Dementia-risk coverage leans on Mediterranean-style eating (no single “magic” food), while separate reads highlight mid-life energy habits and why decluttering can feel like mental relief. Chad on the Ground: UNFPA warns Chad’s eastern refugee surge is overwhelming maternity care, with women facing emergency procedures amid shortages. Safety/Travel Alerts: The U.S. keeps adding high-risk countries—Chad is now on its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” list—while Greece warns of 550,000 migrants waiting in Libya for Europe.