AGP Executive Report

Ebola Response in Focus: Kenya’s first Ebola case confirmation took 48 hours, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said, because samples were run through multiple labs and cross-checked with the US CDC before results were announced—an issue that matters for the wider region as CAR’s fragile health systems brace for spillover risk. Public Health & Crime: A UN-backed report warns that medicine trafficking is a major public health threat across CEMAC, with at least 251 tonnes of drugs seized in six countries from 2020-2025, including CAR—fueling counterfeit and substandard treatments that can lead to poisonings and avoidable deaths. Foreign Influence & Security: In Bangui, a US-based Anthropic report says Russian-linked actors used the AI assistant Claude to monitor opposition and generate pro-Russian radio content, tied to Radio Lengo Songo. Diplomacy & Education: CAR’s education minister signed an order adding Russian to secondary school curricula, building on Russian teaching already underway in Bangui. Migration Pressure: US third-country deportations continue to draw condemnation, with the Central African Republic named among destinations in legal battles and rights warnings.

Medicine Trafficking Alarm: The UN, WHO and CEMAC warn that fake, substandard and diverted medicines are a major public health threat across Central Africa, with at least 251 tonnes seized in six CEMAC countries from 2020-2025—fueling treatment failures, poisonings and avoidable deaths, including drugs for malaria, TB, pain and psychoactive substances. Russian Influence in CAR Schools: CAR’s education minister has signed an order adding Russian to secondary school curricula, building on “Russian House” teaching in Bangui that has already reached about 1,100 students in classrooms and thousands more through free courses. Ebola Risk Near CAR: With Ebola surging in neighboring parts of the DRC and cross-border movement ongoing, IOM warns the risk of transmission into CAR is rising, especially along routes tied to the Congo River and regional travel. Third-Country Deportations Reach CAR: US Supreme Court moves to let deportations to countries like the Central African Republic continue while legal challenges drag on, as UN and rights groups warn of torture and persecution risks. Regional Diplomacy: UNOCA’s new head, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, met leaders in Brazzaville, signaling a focus on peace and security across Central Africa.

Russian Influence & Tech: A new Anthropic report says Russian agents in Bangui used the AI assistant Claude to monitor opposition and generate pro-Russia propaganda aired by Radio Lengo Songo, funded by Russia, while portraying the CAR government and Africa Corps positively and attacking France and opponents. Education & Language Policy: CAR’s education minister signed an order adding Russian to secondary school curricula, with Russian House teachers already running classes in Bangui since 2024 and about 1,100 students learning in classrooms last year. Military Ties: Russia’s Defense Ministry says African officials, including CAR representatives, attended “Center-2026” drills in west-central Russia to view drones, robots and military support systems. Ebola Watch (DRC/CAR Risk): Africa CDC warns the DRC’s Ebola outbreak is still active across many health zones, with insecurity and community resistance possibly hiding transmission—raising concern for spillover into CAR via cross-border movement. US Deportations & CAR Links: US Supreme Court moves to keep third-country deportations running for now, with reporting noting the Central African Republic among destinations under secretive agreements. Sports (CAR in qualifiers): Angola vs Malawi AFCON qualifiers note CAR’s recent results, while Algeria’s women’s team has a double-header Olympic qualifier against CAR.

US Immigration Courts: The US Supreme Court temporarily lets the Trump administration resume rapid “third-country” deportations, a move critics say exposes migrants to torture and persecution; UN experts call the harms “no longer hypothetical,” and Reuters reports at least 40 LGBT-protected migrants sent to African countries where same-sex relations are criminalised. CAR-Russia Influence: A new Anthropic report says Russian-linked agents used the AI assistant Claude in Bangui to monitor opposition and generate pro-Russian propaganda via Radio Lengo Songo, tied to Wagner successor networks. CAR Education & Language: CAR’s education minister signed an order adding Russian to secondary school curricula, building on Russian House teaching in Bangui. Ebola Risk Near CAR: With Ebola in eastern DRC, Africa CDC warns insecurity and community resistance may be masking continued spread toward CAR via cross-border movement. Security & Governance: A UN envoy for Central Africa, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, met leaders in Brazzaville, putting regional peace and security at the top of his agenda. Fraud Case With CAR Links: A Michigan woman, Shannon Monet Steel, faces wire-fraud charges after allegedly posing as a US ambassador for the Central African Republic and a banker to steal over $1 million.

UN Rights Pressure on US Deportations: UN human rights experts say Trump’s “third-country” deportations are no longer hypothetical harms, warning of a “cascade” of rights abuses and citing risks including torture and persecution; they note CAR has received Iranian deportees. Russian Influence via AI: A new Anthropic report alleges Russian agents used the AI assistant Claude in Bangui to monitor opposition and generate pro-Russian propaganda, including content aired by Radio Lengo Songo. CAR Education Shift: CAR’s education minister signed an order adding Russian to secondary school curricula, building on “Russian House” teaching in Bangui. Ebola Watch for CAR Border: As Ebola nears the CAR border, health and water systems are under strain, with cross-border movement raising transmission risks. Regional Diplomacy: UNOCA’s new head, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, met leaders in Congo to push peace and security priorities across Central Africa. Sports—AFCON Qualifiers: Angola host Malawi in a 2027 AFCON qualifier, with Angola noting a recent win over CAR.

Russian Influence & AI Disinformation: A new Anthropic report says Russian agents in Bangui used the AI assistant Claude to monitor opposition and generate pro-Russia propaganda, including content aired by Radio Lengo Songo, linked by investigators to Wagner successor networks. Education & Language Policy: CAR’s education minister signed an order adding Russian to secondary school curricula, building on Russian House teaching that has expanded since 2024. Ebola Risk at CAR’s Doorstep: Coverage warns that as Ebola advances in the DRC near CAR borders, fragile water and health systems face a major test amid cross-border movement. Security & Justice: An ICC conviction of a senior Seleka commander for 2013 crimes in Bangui is highlighted as overdue justice for victims, with other suspects still at large. Regional Diplomacy: A new UN envoy for Central Africa met Denis Sassou N’Guesso, focusing on peace and security priorities across ECCAS. Health/Travel Context: CAR remains on US Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisories due to unrest, underscoring ongoing risk for visitors.

Russian Language in Schools: CAR’s Education Minister signed an order adding Russian to secondary school curricula, building on Russian House teaching in Bangui since 2024 and expanding classes for both students and adults. Regional Diplomacy: UNOCA’s new head, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, met ECCAS leaders in Brazzaville, including President Denis Sassou N’Guesso, with peace and security across Central Africa on the agenda. Health Security: As Ebola remains a threat in eastern DRC, health systems and fragile cross-border water and care capacity in CAR face a critical test, with Africa CDC warning against premature optimism. CAR Finance: Bangui hosts the Bangui Financial Days and CEMAC Bankers’ Days, aiming to turn regional financing debates into deals for SMEs, cross-border payments, and infrastructure and value chains. Justice Spotlight: The ICC convicted a senior Seleka commander for 2013 crimes in Bangui, underscoring long-delayed accountability for victims. Sports (CAR-linked): Algeria named a squad for Olympic qualifiers against CAR, while Burkina Faso’s friendly trip to Argentina is reported at risk due to travel problems.

Russian Language in Schools: CAR’s Education Minister signed an order adding Russian to secondary school curricula, building on “Russian House” teaching in Bangui since 2024 and growing demand from schools and families. Regional Diplomacy: UNOCA’s new head, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, met leaders in Brazzaville, including President Denis Sassou N’Guesso, to push regional peace and security priorities. Ebola Risk at the Border: As Ebola spreads in eastern DRC, health and water systems in the CAR border area face a critical test, with cross-border movement raising transmission fears. CAR in the Spotlight via Deportations: Reports describe U.S. deportation flights sending migrants to “third countries,” including CAR’s Bangui, with allegations of pepper-ball use and restraints during transfers. Finance & Banking in Bangui: Bankers and regulators are set to meet in Bangui for the Bangui Financial Days and CEMAC Bankers’ Days, aiming to turn financing debates into deals for the subregion. Justice for Past Abuses: The ICC convicted a senior Seleka commander for crimes against humanity in Bangui in 2013, underscoring long-delayed accountability for victims.

Russian Influence in Education: CAR has moved to include Russian language in school curricula, with classes run by teachers from the “Russian House” in Bangui since 2024—part of a wider Russia-Wagner footprint in the country. Energy Cooperation: Russia and CAR signed a 2026–2028 roadmap for energy cooperation after a Bangui meeting, covering energy, geology, subsoil use, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and education. Pope Meets Touadéra: Pope Leo XIV received CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, discussing the country’s social, political and humanitarian situation. Finance in Bangui: Bankers and regulators from across CEMAC are set to meet in Bangui for the Bangui Financial Days and CEMAC Bankers’ Days, aiming to turn financing debates into deals. Justice for Seleka Abuses: An ICC conviction of a senior Seleka commander for 2013 crimes in Bangui marks progress on long-delayed accountability. Deportations Linked to CAR: US Supreme Court action allows rapid “third-country” deportations to countries including CAR, drawing fresh outrage over due process and safety.

Ebola Watch (DRC): Africa CDC says the DRC’s Ebola outbreak is still active in 45 health zones, warning that insecurity and community resistance may be hiding the real spread even as reported cases dip. Deportations to CAR (US): The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for rapid “third-country” deportations, and reporting says flights have included the Central African Republic—sparking rights groups’ outrage over lack of notice and limited chances to challenge removals. Energy Deal (CAR–Russia): Russia and CAR signed a 2026–2028 roadmap for energy cooperation after talks in Bangui, with plans spanning geology, subsoil use, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and education. Bangui Finance Summit: Bankers and regulators are set to meet in Bangui Oct. 1–3 for Bangui Financial Days and CEMAC Bankers’ Days, aiming to turn regional financing debates into signed deals. Justice in CAR (Seleka): A long-delayed ICC conviction of a senior Seleka commander for 2013 crimes in Bangui highlights ongoing accountability gaps for other suspects still at large. Fraud Using CAR Name (US case): A Michigan woman accused of posing as a Central African Republic ambassador and banker faces wire-fraud charges tied to more than $1 million stolen from victims.

Deportations and rights in focus: The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily cleared the way for Donald Trump’s administration to resume rapid “third-country” deportations, allowing removals to places including the Central African Republic while legal challenges continue—sparking fresh outrage over due process and safety. CAR diplomacy and energy: Russia and CAR signed a 2026–2028 roadmap for energy cooperation after talks in Bangui, with plans spanning energy, geology, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and education. Justice in CAR: A long-delayed ICC conviction of a senior Seleka commander for 2013 crimes against humanity in Bangui highlights the slow march toward accountability, with other suspects still at large. Bangui finance push: Bankers and regulators from across CEMAC are gathering in Bangui for the Bangui Financial Days and CEMAC Bankers’ Days, aiming to turn financing debates into deals for SMEs and cross-border payments. Poverty snapshot: A new IMF-based ranking again places CAR among Africa’s lowest GDP-per-capita economies, underscoring the scale of hardship.

Papal Visit to Bangui: Pope Leo XIV met CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, discussing the country’s social, political and humanitarian situation after decades of conflict and amid mass displacement. Justice in CAR: A long-running accountability push continues as the ICC convicts a senior Seleka commander over 2013 crimes in Bangui, underscoring the slow pace of justice for victims. Regional Finance in Bangui: Bankers and regulators from across CEMAC are set to gather in Bangui Oct. 1–3 for Bangui Financial Days and CEMAC Bankers’ Days, aiming to turn financing talks into deals for SMEs, infrastructure and cross-border payments. CAR in U.S. deportation fight: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump to resume rapid “third-country” deportations while legal challenges proceed, with CAR named among destinations—sparking rights concerns and reports of coercion and extortion tied to removals. Ebola spillover risk for the region: In the DRC, two confirmed Ebola cases were reported in Sud-Ubangi as doctors’ strike continues, expanding the outbreak to a seventh province and raising fears for neighboring areas. Energy deal: Russia and CAR signed a 2026–2028 energy cooperation roadmap after talks in Bangui, covering energy, geology, infrastructure, agriculture and health.

CAR–Russia Energy Deal: Russia and the Central African Republic signed a 2026–2028 roadmap for energy cooperation after talks in Bangui, with plans spanning geology, subsoil use, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and education. US Deportations to CAR: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump’s administration to resume “third-country” deportations for now, allowing removals to places including the Central African Republic without advance notice or a chance to contest destination-specific risks while the case is argued in December. Deportation Flight Claims: A report on a deportation flight to Bangui describes migrants restrained, pepper-ball use, and shackling during air travel, highlighting how CAR is being used as a destination in the U.S. externalization program. Legal Pushback in CAR: A CAR-based legal effort says police in the country have allegedly kidnapped deportees to extort money, while UN-linked support sometimes helps people pay or secure release. Business & Security Shift (Chad–France): Separate from CAR, France and Chad are rebuilding ties through business and a more discreet security partnership after a 2024 defense split—an example of how regional security relationships are being reshaped.

US–CAR Deportations: The US Supreme Court has temporarily cleared the way for Trump to resume “third-country” deportations, including to the Central African Republic, while the legal fight continues; rights groups say migrants are sent without meaningful notice or a chance to raise fears of persecution or torture, and the court will hear arguments in December. Energy Ties: Russia and CAR signed a 2026–2028 roadmap for energy cooperation in Bangui, covering energy, geology and subsoil use, plus infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and education. Local Impact of US Policy: A lawyer in the Central African Republic described alleged police kidnappings and extortion tied to the deportation fallout, while reporting also notes the US has agreements with dozens of countries to receive deportees, including several on high-risk travel lists. Security & Influence: A report says Russian-linked influence operations used AI to generate pro-government, pro-Russia and anti-France content via a CAR radio station, including forged messages attributed to CAR security bodies. Business/Trade: Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe is reshaping its dealer network across Central Africa, naming an expanded authorized dealer role covering CAR and other regional markets.

U.S. Supreme Court Decision: The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to restart “third-country” deportations, letting migrants be removed to countries they have no ties to without a meaningful chance to argue the harms they could face; the court will hear the case again in December, after a lower-court order was paused. Human Rights Pressure: UN experts warn the policy is triggering a “cascade” of rights abuses, including torture, enforced disappearance, and trafficking risks, and say the U.S. has signed deals with multiple African states including the Central African Republic. CAR in the Deportation Mix: Reporting notes the U.S. has deported people to the Central African Republic under the program, while a separate case involving migrants’ due process led to canceled flights and legal challenges. CAR Security & Media Influence: A report says a Russian-linked operation used AI to produce pro-government, pro-Russia, anti-France content for a Central African Republic radio station, including forged messages attributed to CAR security institutions. Regional Football: Burkina Faso beat the Central African Republic 1-0 in AFCON 2027 qualifiers, tightening Group F and raising pressure on Benin ahead of its next match.

UN Rights Pressure on US Deportations: UN experts say US “third-country” deportations are triggering a cascade of rights abuses, warning of torture, enforced disappearance and breaches of non-refoulement; they cite deals involving more than 35 countries, including the Central African Republic, and say at least 23,000 people have been sent to 29 destinations. CAR in the AFCON Qualifiers: Burkina Faso beat CAR 1-0 in Casablanca, piling pressure on the Central African side as Group F reshuffles; CAR’s next qualifiers are set at neutral venues. Ebola Risk in the Region: Africa CDC warns 10 countries, including CAR, are at risk as DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak nears 8,000 cases, urging stronger surveillance and rapid response. CAR–Cameroon Trade/Transport Watch: A proposed CAR–Kribi iron ore rail corridor could unlock major dry-bulk shipping demand, though exports are not expected before the early 2030s.