AGP Executive Report

Student Activism: Over 100 students rallied on Ho Plaza under “Students Not Bombs,” demanding Cornell divest from Israel and sever ties with institutions they say support genocide and mass deportations. Constitutional Politics: Guinea-Bissau voters approved a new constitution that boosts presidential power—letting the president appoint/dismiss the prime minister and ministers, dissolve parliament, and shrinking the assembly from 102 to 65—while the opposition boycotted and calls the vote illegitimate. Regional Diplomacy: ECOWAS’ new Commission chief, General Birame Diop, pledged renewed unity and engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, arguing geography and shared security threats make cooperation unavoidable. Health & Community: Guinea-Bissau recorded its first mpox outbreak: 10 lab-confirmed cases among 58 suspected, with no deaths reported so far. Culture & Science: Researchers in Boé National Park documented western chimpanzees “bowling” rocks at the same trees for years, linking the behavior to communication and social display.

Constitutional Referendum: Guinea-Bissau voters have approved a new constitution that boosts presidential powers, including the ability to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and ministers and to dissolve parliament, while reducing National Assembly seats from 102 to 65; the “Yes” camp won with about 70% and turnout was reported above 50%, but opposition leaders and civil society critics say the vote was illegitimate, drafted by the military junta after the 2025 coup, and lacked safeguards—setting up fresh tension ahead of December 6 elections. Diplomacy & Non-Alignment: Serbia’s foreign minister Marko Đurić met Guinea-Bissau’s delegation head Fatoumata Jau in Belgrade for the Non-Aligned Movement’s 65th anniversary, agreeing to deepen political ties and strengthen economic cooperation. Public Health: Guinea-Bissau recorded its first mpox outbreak, with 10 lab-confirmed cases (and 58 suspected) reported by WHO, raising concerns about undetected transmission chains. Culture & Nature: Scientists studying Boé National Park report long-running “accumulative stone throwing” by wild western chimpanzees—repeated rock-throwing at the same trees—adding a fascinating layer to Guinea-Bissau’s living natural heritage.

Constitutional Referendum in Guinea-Bissau: Voters approved a new constitution that boosts presidential power, letting the president appoint and dismiss the prime minister and ministers, dissolve parliament, and reduce National Assembly seats from 102 to 65; the “Yes” camp won with 70% and turnout was reported above 50%, while opposition leaders dispute legitimacy and say the process lacked safeguards after the 2025 coup. Diplomacy & Non-Alignment: Serbia’s foreign minister Marko Đurić met Guinea-Bissau’s FM Fatoumata Jau in Belgrade, stressing stronger economic ties alongside long-standing political friendship. Public Health: Guinea-Bissau recorded its first known mpox outbreak: 10 lab-confirmed cases among 58 suspected, with no deaths reported, and no clear links between confirmed infections. Tech & Education: Google expanded its free one-year AI Plus offer to students across 27 African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, with Gemini tools and cloud storage. Culture & Science (Local): Researchers in Boé National Park report long-running “accumulative stone throwing” by wild chimpanzees—chimpanzees repeatedly “bowling” rocks at the same trees, alongside pant-hoots and drumming. Regional Politics: ECOWAS’s new chief, Birame Diop, urged renewed engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, arguing geography and shared threats make cooperation unavoidable.

Constitutional Turnaround: Guinea-Bissau voters approved a new constitution that boosts presidential power—letting the president appoint and dismiss the prime minister and ministers, dissolve parliament, and expand executive control—while shrinking the National Assembly from 102 seats to 65; the “yes” camp won with about 70% and turnout reported above 50%, but opposition leaders and human rights voices call the process illegitimate and urge a boycott. Public Health Watch: Guinea-Bissau recorded its first known mpox outbreak: 10 lab-confirmed cases (no deaths) out of 58 suspected, with confirmed infections among adults and no clear links between cases, raising concerns that transmission chains may be going unnoticed. Culture & Nature Spotlight: Scientists studying Boé National Park report western chimpanzees repeatedly “bowling” rocks at the same trees for over a decade—alongside pant-hoots and drumming—offering a rare look at complex animal communication. Regional Politics: ECOWAS’s new Commission chief, General Birame Diop, says the bloc must rebuild unity and reopen engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, arguing geography and shared security threats make separation impossible.

Constitutional Referendum: Guinea-Bissau has approved a new constitution that boosts presidential power, letting the president appoint and dismiss the prime minister and ministers, dissolve parliament, and reshape ministries, while shrinking the National Assembly; the “yes” camp won about 70% with turnout reported above 50%, but opposition leaders and rights groups say the process lacked safeguards and call for boycott. Regional Politics: ECOWAS’s new Commission chief, General Birame Diop, says the bloc must rebuild unity and reopen engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, arguing geography and shared threats make separation impossible. Public Health: Guinea-Bissau reports its first mpox outbreak, with 10 lab-confirmed cases and 58 suspected as of late August, raising concerns about hidden transmission chains. Culture & Nature: Researchers in Boé National Park document “accumulative stone throwing” by wild chimpanzees—repeated rock-throwing at the same trees—suggesting a possible cultural pattern. Migration Tragedy: A migrant boat linked to Gambia was found after 26 days adrift near the Canary Islands, with 45 survivors and multiple deaths, including a baby.

Constitutional Referendum: Guinea-Bissau voters approved a new constitution that boosts presidential power, including the ability to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and ministers and dissolve parliament, while shrinking the National Assembly from 102 seats to 65; the “yes” camp won 70% with turnout above 50%, but opposition leaders and rights groups say the process lacked safeguards and call for boycott. Regional Politics: ECOWAS’s new Commission chief, General Birame Diop, urged deeper unity and renewed engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger despite their withdrawal, arguing geography and shared threats make cooperation unavoidable. Public Health: Guinea-Bissau recorded its first mpox outbreak, with 10 lab-confirmed cases and 58 suspected as of late August, with no deaths reported. Culture & Science: In Boé National Park, researchers report “accumulative stone throwing” by wild chimpanzees—repeated rock-throwing at the same trees—suggesting a possible cultural behavior tied to communication. Diaspora & Migration: The US published an updated deportation list naming 427 people from West Africa, including 15 Gambians, with charges and photos.

Constitutional Shift in Guinea-Bissau: Voters approved a new constitution expanding presidential powers, letting the president appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, create or abolish ministries, and dissolve parliament in major political crises; turnout was reported near 60% with provisional results showing 70% “yes,” while the main opposition PAIGC boycotted, warning the process lacked safeguards and threatened the return to civilian rule. Regional Politics & Culture of Governance: ECOWAS’s new Commission chief, General Birame Diop, urged deeper unity and renewed engagement with the AES states (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger), arguing geography and shared threats make cooperation unavoidable. Health & Daily Life: Guinea-Bissau recorded its first known mpox outbreak—10 lab-confirmed cases and 58 suspected as of late August—with no deaths reported, raising concerns about undetected transmission chains. Science in the Boé: Researchers in Guinea-Bissau’s Boé National Park documented “accumulative stone throwing” by wild chimpanzees, a repeated, tree-targeted behavior that may reflect cultural communication. Tech for Students: Google expanded its free AI Plus offer to 27 African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, giving students access to Gemini tools and extra cloud storage.

Guinea-Bissau Constitutional Referendum: Guinea-Bissau is voting on a new constitution this Sunday, after the military seized power last November. The draft would shift power toward the presidency—letting the president appoint and dismiss the prime minister and ministers, chair the Council of Ministers, restructure ministries, and dissolve parliament under certain conditions—while shrinking parliament and redrawing constituencies. Opposition leaders and human-rights advocates say the process lacks legitimacy, with a “no” campaign facing restrictions and calls for a boycott. Public Health & Community Life: Guinea-Bissau’s first known mpox outbreak is being tracked by WHO, with 10 lab-confirmed cases and 58 suspected as of late August; confirmed infections are adults with no clear links, raising concerns that some transmission chains may be missed. Culture & Nature in Boé: In Boé National Park, researchers are studying “accumulative stone throwing” by wild western chimpanzees—repeatedly hurling rocks at the same trees, alongside pant-hoots and tree-drumming—suggesting a potentially cultural behavior. Education & Tech Access: Google is expanding its free one-year AI offer to students across 27 African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, giving access to Gemini tools and extra cloud storage.

Constitutional Referendum in Guinea-Bissau: Guinea-Bissau is voting on a new constitution in a referendum tied to the military transition, with polling underway amid claims of an uneven campaign environment—opposition and civil society leaders say freedoms are restricted and that only the “yes” camp is running an official push, while critics argue the draft was prepared without broad consultation and could shift power further toward the presidency. Public Health & Culture of Care: West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has donated lab equipment worth about €1.51 million to Guinea-Bissau’s National Public Health Laboratory to strengthen disease detection and emergency response. Mpox Update: Guinea-Bissau reports its first known mpox outbreak: 10 lab-confirmed cases among 58 suspected, with no deaths so far, and scientists note transmission links are unclear. Wildlife as Living Heritage: In Boé National Park, researchers are studying western chimpanzees repeatedly “bowling” rocks at the same trees for more than a decade—behaviour that may reveal how communication and culture-like patterns emerge in animals. Education & Tech Access: Google is expanding a free one-year AI offer to students across 27 African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, giving access to Gemini tools and cloud storage.

Guinea-Bissau Politics: Guinea-Bissau goes to a referendum on a new constitution that would expand presidential powers, with the military-backed “yes” campaign active while the opposition and human-rights groups call for a boycott, arguing the process lacks freedom and legitimacy. Public Health: Mpox has returned to the headlines in Guinea-Bissau with the country’s first known outbreak—WHO reports 58 suspected and 10 lab-confirmed cases, no deaths, and no clear links between confirmed infections, raising fears some chains are being missed. Regional Support: ECOWAS commended its Stabilisation Support Mission personnel in Guinea-Bissau and urged them to prepare for the referendum and upcoming elections, including support for national defence forces. Culture & Nature: In Boé National Park, scientists are studying chimpanzees that repeatedly “bowling” rocks at the same trees for more than a decade—an unusual behaviour that may point to cultural communication. Education & Tech: Google expands a free AI offer to students across 27 African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, giving access to Gemini tools and cloud storage. Health & Lifestyle (Global): WHO-style mpox coverage continues to spread beyond Africa, while scientists dig into why outbreaks keep flaring up again.

Constitutional Referendum: Guinea-Bissau’s military-led government is holding a referendum on Sunday to rewrite the constitution and expand presidential powers, including appointing/dismissing the prime minister and dissolving parliament, while opposition and human-rights voices call it a “farce” and urge a boycott over a lack of consultation and a tight campaign climate. Public Health & Community Life: WAHO has donated €1.5m in lab equipment to Guinea-Bissau’s National Public Health Laboratory to boost disease detection and emergency response, as mpox returns to the headlines with the country’s first outbreak. Faith & Identity: Aicha Settimia Canté, daughter of an imam, made her first profession as a Catholic religious sister in Guinea-Bissau—an intimate story of interfaith background and vocation. Education & Tech: Google expanded its free AI Plus offer to students across 27 African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, giving access to Gemini tools and extra cloud storage. Culture & Science: Researchers in Boé, Guinea-Bissau, are studying “accumulative stone throwing” by wild chimpanzees—repeatedly targeting the same trees for years—hinting at a possible cultural behavior.

Constitutional Referendum: Guinea-Bissau votes today on a new constitution that would expand presidential power, letting the president appoint and dismiss the prime minister and ministers, chair the Council of Ministers, and dissolve parliament under certain conditions; the military-backed draft is being challenged by the opposition and human rights groups, who say freedoms are restricted and that “no” campaigners are not authorized. Public Health & Children: Guinea-Bissau’s first mpox outbreak is raising alarms as more than half of reported cases are among children, including many under age four, with UNICEF warning surveillance is fragile and spread may be going undetected. Regional Support for Health Systems: WAHO has donated lab equipment worth over €1.5 million to Guinea-Bissau’s National Public Health Laboratory to strengthen diagnostics and epidemiological monitoring under an ECOWAS-backed project. Tech for Students: Google is expanding a free AI offer to students across 27 African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, with access to Gemini tools and large cloud storage. Faith & Community Life: A Catholic religious sister in Guinea-Bissau, from a Muslim family background, made her first profession, highlighting interfaith journeys within local church life. Culture & Nature: New research describes a rare “accumulative stone throwing” behavior by wild chimpanzees in Boé National Park, suggesting possible cultural patterns in animal communication.

Constitutional Referendum: Guinea-Bissau’s military-led government is set to hold a referendum on Sunday, August 30, to reshape the constitution and expand presidential power—allowing the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and ministers, chair the Council of Ministers, dissolve parliament under conditions, and shrink parliament seats—while the opposition and civil society urge a boycott, warning the vote is staged to legitimize the transition. ECOWAS Support for Polls: Ahead of the referendum and the planned return to civilian rule, an ECOWAS stabilization mission is preparing to support Guinea-Bissau’s defense forces, with commanders tasked to focus training and readiness for the political transition. Public Health & Children: Guinea-Bissau is facing an mpox outbreak, with authorities saying more than half of cases are among children, and UNICEF warns surveillance is fragile and the virus may be spreading undetected. Health Systems Upgrade: WAHO has donated €1.5 million in lab equipment to Guinea-Bissau’s national public health laboratory to strengthen disease detection, epidemiological monitoring, and emergency response. Faith & Community Life: A Catholic religious sister in Guinea-Bissau—daughter of an imam—made her first profession, highlighting how religious life and community ties continue to intersect in everyday culture. Education & AI Access: Google expanded its free one-year AI subscription offer to students across 27 African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, giving access to Gemini tools and large cloud storage. Research Governance Debate: A public debate is brewing around NaRDIC and innovation access proposals, with critics saying media coverage often lacks the full text and practical details people need.

Guinea-Bissau Politics: The military-led government is pushing ahead with a constitutional referendum on Sunday, Aug. 30, amid opposition calls for a boycott and warnings the draft would shift power toward the presidency ahead of planned elections. Public Health: Guinea-Bissau is facing an mpox outbreak, with authorities saying children make up about half of suspected cases and UNICEF warns surveillance gaps could let the virus spread unnoticed. Regional Security: ECOWAS praised the professionalism of its Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau and urged better preparation for the referendum and upcoming elections. Culture & Faith: A Muslim imam’s daughter in Guinea-Bissau made her first profession as a Catholic religious sister, highlighting interfaith journeys and community ties. Education & Tech: Google expanded its free student AI offer to 27 African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, giving eligible students access to Gemini tools and extra storage. Health Systems: WAHO donated €1.5m in lab equipment to Guinea-Bissau to strengthen disease detection and emergency response. Wildlife & Heritage: New field reporting from Boé National Park describes rare “accumulative stone throwing” by wild chimpanzees, pointing to possible cultural behavior.

Guinea-Bissau Referendum: The military-led government is pushing ahead with a constitutional referendum on Sunday, aiming to boost presidential power as opposition groups call for a boycott, warning the process lacks democratic legitimacy. Peace & Media Responsibility: A Methodist bishop urged traditional rulers and church leaders to back peacebuilding and warned journalists that careless reporting can inflame crises. Public Health Boost: WAHO and ECOWAS handed Guinea-Bissau €1.5m in lab equipment to strengthen disease detection and emergency response. Mpox Alert: Guinea-Bissau’s first mpox outbreak is spreading, with children making up about half of suspected cases and UNICEF warning surveillance is fragile. Religious Life: An imam’s daughter in Guinea-Bissau made her first profession as a Catholic religious sister, highlighting faith journeys across community lines. Culture & Nature: Field reports from Boé National Park describe chimpanzees repeatedly throwing stones at specific trees—suggesting a rare, possibly cultural behavior. Regional Security: The AU Commission chair met The Gambia’s defence minister to discuss peace and constitutional governance across West Africa, including Casamance.

Constitutional Referendum: Guinea-Bissau’s military-led government is set to hold a referendum on Sunday, Aug. 30, after the 2025 coup, with a draft that would boost presidential power—letting the president appoint and dismiss the prime minister and ministers, chair the Council of Ministers, and dissolve parliament under conditions—while shrinking parliament and redrawing constituencies, a change critics say could concentrate authority. Public Health & Schools: Mpox is Guinea-Bissau’s first outbreak, with children making up about half of suspected cases; UNICEF warns surveillance gaps may be hiding spread, and that reopening schools in September could raise transmission risks. Health Lab Boost: West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has donated €1.5 million in lab equipment to Guinea-Bissau’s National Public Health Laboratory to strengthen diagnostics and epidemiological monitoring. Faith & Community Life: In Bissau, Sr. Aicha Settimia Canté—raised in a Muslim family as the daughter of an imam—made her first profession as a Catholic religious sister, highlighting religious coexistence amid online backlash. Regional Support for Polls: ECOWAS officials praised the professionalism of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau and urged training focused on supporting national defence forces ahead of the referendum and upcoming elections.