AGP Executive Report

UNESCO World Heritage: UNESCO added 25 new sites to the World Heritage List at its Busan session, bringing the total to 1,273. The big headline includes France’s D-Day Normandy beaches, plus Greece’s Mount Olympus, and Comoros’ first-ever inscription: the Medinas of the Historic Sultanates of the Comoros—an upgrade that can unlock conservation support and boost tourism. Maritime Security (Comoros in the mix): Saudi Arabia named Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri to lead a multinational defensive maritime coalition aimed at protecting shipping through Bab al-Mandeb, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden; Comoros is listed among the founding signatories, with a planning meeting set for Aug. 12–13. FIFA Governance (Africa’s political leverage): As European federations withdraw support over Infantino’s FIFA “sell-off” plan, African football leaders—citing FIFA development funding—have sent messages backing him ahead of a CAF executive committee meeting, keeping Africa’s 54-member voting bloc central to his re-election fight. Regional Security (Horn of Africa): Coverage flags renewed risk in Ethiopia’s Tigray as fighting and cross-border tensions could widen instability involving Eritrea and Sudan.

Maritime Security: Iran says talks with Oman on Strait of Hormuz are nearing completion, but Tehran is still demanding the US end its naval blockade plus sanctions relief, compensation, and release of frozen assets—while US officials signal pressure will continue. Regional Naval Cooperation: Saudi Arabia has appointed Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri to lead a new multinational maritime defence coalition aimed at protecting shipping through Bab al-Mandeb, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden; Comoros is among the founding signatories. Horn of Africa Instability: Coverage warns of renewed risk of escalation in Ethiopia’s Tigray as fighting between federal forces and TPLF reportedly intensifies, with Eritrean and Sudan-linked dynamics raising the stakes for the wider region. Comoros in the Spotlight (Sports & Travel): Comoros is named in FIFA politics as its football federation president backs Infantino after his World Cup revenue “sell-off” plan was dropped; separately, Comoros is listed among the few African countries granted visa-free entry to Panama. Humanitarian Pressure: Spain’s Ceuta remains strained after a mass migrant influx, with thousands gone but thousands still stuck, including people arriving from the Comoros.

FIFA Power Struggle: Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid is getting shakier as more countries withdraw support after his abandoned plan to sell stakes in future World Cup revenue, while UEFA and others press for accountability. CAF Politics: Despite the global backlash, several African football leaders—including Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa and Comoros Football Federation President Saïd Ali Athouman—have publicly backed Infantino, with CAF set to discuss the scrapped “FIFA Forward Enterprise” proposal at its executive meeting. Regional Security: Saudi Arabia appointed Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri to lead a 14-country multinational maritime defence coalition aimed at protecting navigation around Bab al-Mandeb, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with Comoros among the founding members and a planning meeting scheduled for Aug. 12–13. Comoros Spotlight: A report on the 2027 Indian Ocean Island Games (JIOI) argues Comoros can only turn the event into long-term tourism growth if planned accommodation and transport are built for commercial use after the Games.

Maritime Security: Saudi Arabia has appointed Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri to lead a new 14-country multinational maritime defence coalition aimed at protecting navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with a planning meeting set for Aug 12–13; Comoros is listed among the founding members. FIFA Politics: As FIFA’s Infantino crisis deepens after the scrapped “sell the World Cup” plan, African football leaders—including figures tied to CAF and Comoros’ federation—have publicly backed him, even as UEFA and others withdraw support and call for accountability. Regional Diplomacy & Security: A SADC summit is set for Aug 17 in Durban, where leaders including Comoros will weigh steps on industrialisation, infrastructure, food security and integration, with President Ramaphosa taking the 2026/27 SADC chair. Comoros in the Spotlight: Comoros and Madagascar have resumed flights after a four-year hiatus, a connectivity boost that could matter for trade and tourism. Culture & Heritage: UNESCO added 25 new World Heritage sites, including the first-ever inscriptions for Comoros, marking a rare win for national visibility.

FIFA Power Struggle: Gianni Infantino’s bid to stay on as FIFA president is in turmoil after his “sell the World Cup” plan was dropped, with European bodies and Fifpro withdrawing support while CAF-linked allies keep rallying behind him ahead of CAF’s executive committee meeting. CAF & Comoros Angle: Reuters reports that five influential African football leaders backed Infantino, including Comoros Football Federation president Saïd Ali Athouman—highlighting how FIFA Forward funding remains a key political lever for smaller federations. Red Sea Security: Saudi Arabia named a commander for a multinational maritime defence coalition to protect Bab al-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden, with Comoros among founding members—signalling wider regional security coordination as Houthi attacks keep disrupting shipping. Regional Governance: SADC’s 2026 summit heads to Durban on Aug 17, with Comoros listed among member states as leaders weigh industrialisation, infrastructure, food security and integration. Migration Pressure in Europe: Ceuta’s migrant influx continues to strain local systems, with thousands still present and humanitarian concerns spilling into asylum and expulsion debates.

Red Sea Security: Saudi Arabia named Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al‑Shehri to lead a new multinational maritime defence coalition, signed by 14 states including the Comoros, as Houthis keep striking Saudi-linked shipping and force route changes. Regional Diplomacy: Iran and Oman are reportedly nearing new arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz, while the wider U.S.–Iran conflict continues to spill into Red Sea and Gulf shipping risk. CAF & Comoros Football: CAF’s Champions League preliminary draw sets possible paths involving Comoros’ Fomboni for Simba, while Comoros officials are also among those backing FIFA president Gianni Infantino amid the fallout from his abandoned “World Cup sale” plan. Governance & Oversight: ACAF’s 2025 academic freedom monitoring report flags heavy state and university interference across Africa, and Rwanda tops regional anti-corruption efforts in the Mo Ibrahim Index brief. SADC Watch: South Africa will host the 46th SADC summit in Durban on Aug. 17, with Comoros listed among member states. UNESCO: Comoros secured its first World Heritage inscriptions as 25 new sites were added globally in Busan.

CAF & Football Politics: African football leaders are rallying behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino after he dropped a controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue, with CAF’s executive committee set to discuss the abandoned “FIFA Forward Enterprise” proposal and whether Africa’s 54 votes will keep him in office. Comoros in the Spotlight: Comoros Football Federation president Saïd Ali Athouman is among those pointing to FIFA development funding as a key reason Africa backs Infantino, while Comoros is also named as a signatory to a Saudi-led maritime defense coalition. Regional Security & Shipping: Saudi Arabia and 13 partners announced a multinational maritime coalition to protect routes through Bab al-Mandeb, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as Iran-linked and Houthi-linked disruptions keep trade risks high. Connectivity for Comoros: Comoros and Madagascar resumed direct flights after a four-year hiatus, expected to boost tourism, business links, and trade. Culture & Heritage: UNESCO added 25 new World Heritage sites, including the first-ever Comoros inscription: “Medinas of the Historic Sultanates of the Comoros.” Sports Fixtures: CAF’s Champions League preliminary-round draw set early paths for Tanzanian clubs, with Comoros’ Fomboni potentially in line for a later preliminary-round test.

Maritime Security & Comoros: Saudi Arabia and 13 partners, including Comoros, launched a multinational maritime defense alliance to protect the Bab el-Mandeb, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping lanes, with Riyadh set to host the command structures; the move comes amid wider Iran–U.S. tensions and ongoing disruptions around Hormuz. FIFA Politics (Africa’s leverage): African football leaders publicly backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino after he scrapped a controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue, arguing CAF’s 54-member bloc remains his key voting base ahead of next March’s election. UNESCO & Comoros on the world map: UNESCO inscribed 25 new World Heritage sites at its Busan session, including the first-ever inscriptions for Comoros, while also adding 25 total properties and flagging several sites “in danger.” Regional Connectivity: Comoros and Madagascar resumed direct flights after a four-year pause, expected to boost tourism, trade and business links as relations normalize.

FIFA Politics: African football leaders are rallying behind Gianni Infantino after he dropped a plan to sell minority stakes in future World Cup revenue, with CAF officials weighing his future ahead of a key CAF executive meeting. Comoros in the Spotlight: The Comoros Football Federation president Saïd Ali Athouman points to FIFA development funding as a core reason Africa stays supportive. Indian Ocean Connectivity: Madagascar and Comoros have resumed direct flights after a four-year pause, a move expected to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people links. UNESCO & Heritage: UNESCO inscribed 25 new World Heritage sites in Busan, including the first-ever World Heritage listing for Comoros—Medinas of the Historic Sultanates of the Comoros—raising the total to 1,273 sites. Maritime Security: Saudi Arabia and 13 partners, including Comoros, launched a multinational maritime defense coalition to protect shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.

FIFA Politics: Leading African football administrators have publicly backed Gianni Infantino as he seeks support from CAF’s 54 members ahead of next March’s FIFA presidential election, after he dropped a controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue; CAF is set to discuss the abandoned $4.2bn commercial rights proposal, but whether it takes a formal stance on Infantino’s future remains unclear. Regional Security: Saudi Arabia and 13 partner states announced a multinational maritime defense coalition to protect freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with Comoros named among the founding backers; the move comes amid ongoing Houthi attacks and wider Iran-US tensions. Comoros Diplomacy & Connectivity: Comoros and Madagascar resumed direct air services after a four-year hiatus, with flights expected to boost tourism, trade and people-to-people links. Global Mobility Pressure: New reporting highlights how visa access remains uneven for Africans, with Comoros included among countries facing high rejection rates in Europe’s Schengen context. UNESCO Heritage: UNESCO inscribed 25 new World Heritage sites in Busan, including the first World Heritage listing for Comoros—Medinas of the Historic Sultanates of the Comoros.

FIFA Politics: Leading African football administrators have publicly backed embattled FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of a CAF executive meeting, welcoming his decision to drop a controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue while still debating whether he can survive calls for change. Regional Security: Saudi Arabia and 13 partner states—including Comoros—announced a multinational maritime defense coalition to protect the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as attacks tied to the Yemen conflict keep disrupting shipping and energy routes. Diplomacy & Connectivity: Comoros and Madagascar have resumed direct flights after a four-year pause, with services restarting via Moroni, a move linked to improved bilateral relations and expected gains for tourism and trade. Heritage Milestone: UNESCO inscribed 25 new World Heritage sites at its Busan session, including the first-ever World Heritage listing for Comoros: the Medinas of the Historic Sultanates of the Comoros.

Maritime Security: Saudi Arabia and 13 partners (including Comoros) backed a new multinational maritime defense alliance to protect the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with Riyadh set to host the permanent command structures; the move comes amid Houthi attacks and wider Iran-linked pressure on regional shipping. Comoros–Madagascar Ties: After a four-year pause, Comoros and Madagascar resumed direct flights, with Madagascar Airlines launching the Antananarivo–Mahajanga–Moroni route twice weekly—linked to restored political dialogue after the 2021 gold smuggling dispute. UNESCO Milestone for Comoros: UNESCO inscribed 25 new World Heritage sites in Busan, including the first-ever Comoros listing—“Medinas of the Historic Sultanates of the Comoros”—as part of a broader push to recognize more underrepresented regions. FIFA Governance: FIFA’s member federations are split over Infantino’s abandoned “Forward Enterprise” private-investment plan; UEFA says it has “lost confidence,” while CAF’s 54 African associations still back him. Sanctions & Shipping Law: Singapore charged a company and director over alleged flag registration services for a UN-blacklisted North Korea-linked vessel, highlighting how Comoros-linked ships can still face legal fallout under international sanctions.

UNESCO World Heritage: The 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan inscribed 25 new sites, including the Medinas of the Historic Sultanates of the Comoros—a first for Comoros—alongside major additions like Greece’s Mount Olympus (mixed) and the D-Day beaches in Normandy. International Security: Saudi Arabia and 13 partners (including Comoros) launched a multinational maritime defense coalition to protect shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, as Houthi attacks and regional tensions keep trade and energy routes under pressure. Diplomacy & Transport: Comoros and Madagascar resumed direct flights after a four-year pause, with services restarting via the Antananarivo–Mahajanga–Moroni route, tied to restored political dialogue. Sanctions & Shipping Law: A Singapore case charges a company and director over alleged flag registration services for a UN-blacklisted ship linked to North Korea sanctions—an issue that also touches Comoros-linked vessel history. Sports Governance: FIFA’s leadership reportedly moved to abort its takeover plans, while still pushing reforms aimed at supporting financially strained federations. Mobility & Borders: New reporting highlights how visa rules and rejection rates can sharply limit African travel options, with Schengen access under renewed political debate.

FIFA Reform Watch: FIFA has moved to abort its ambitious takeover plans, saying the idea isn’t ready yet—while still pushing broader support reforms for financially strained national federations, including small states like Comoros. Regional Mobility: Comoros and Madagascar have resumed direct flights after a four-year gap, with service restarting via the Antananarivo–Mahajanga–Moroni route—an early sign of improved bilateral ties. Maritime Security & Comoros in the Mix: Saudi Arabia and 13 partners announced a multinational maritime defense coalition for the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden; Comoros is listed among founding states as the Houthis claim pressure on Saudi-linked shipping. UNESCO Milestone: UNESCO inscribed 25 new World Heritage sites at its Busan session, including Comoros’ first-ever listing—part of a wider push to expand recognition across underrepresented regions. Visa and Travel Pressure: A debate over Schengen free movement is intensifying, with claims that non-EU travel could face tighter controls—raising stakes for African residents. Sanctions & Shipping Law: Singapore charged a company and director over alleged flag registration services tied to a UN-blacklisted North Korea-linked vessel, underscoring how maritime legal risk can reach small states.

US Visa Rules: The U.S. flagged about 50 countries for possible visa-bond requirements, with 30 in Africa; a new breakdown lists 24 African countries not on the bond list, while European Schengen mobility debates could still tighten travel for many Africans. UNESCO World Heritage: UNESCO’s 48th committee session in Busan added 25 new World Heritage sites, including Comoros’ first-ever inscription and historic medinas across the archipelago—alongside major additions in Iran, Lebanon/Palestine, and the U.S. Regional Air Links: Comoros and Madagascar resumed direct flights after a four-year gap, with twice-weekly service expected to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties. Red Sea Security: Saudi Arabia and 13 partners launched a maritime defense coalition for the Bab al-Mandeb/Red Sea/Gulf of Aden; the Houthis claim pressure on Saudi tankers, while the alliance includes Comoros. Maritime Sanctions: The U.S. OFAC sanctioned an Iran-linked insurance scheme tied to Strait of Hormuz shipping, adding blacklisted vessels.

Maritime Security: Saudi Arabia and 13 partners—including Comoros—announced a multinational maritime defense coalition to protect freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, after Houthi attacks and wider Iran–Gulf tensions raised risks for shipping and energy flows. Sanctions & Shipping Compliance: Singapore prosecutors moved to charge a company and director over alleged provision of flag registration services to a UN-blacklisted vessel tied to North Korea sanctions, with the ship previously linked to Comoros. Air Links & Diplomacy: Comoros and Madagascar resumed direct flights after a four-year gap, with services restarting via Moroni–Antananarivo–Mahajanga, framed as a result of restored political dialogue. UNESCO World Heritage: UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Busan inscribed 25 new sites, including six Comoros medinas and Comoros’ first-ever World Heritage listing, a major cultural milestone for the islands. Development Finance: The African Development Fund approved a $3.48m grant to support industrial and trade policy work across Comoros and four other African states, aimed at strengthening AfCFTA implementation.