AGP Executive Report

Green Ammonia Push in Laayoune: ORNX’s Laayoune low-carbon ammonia project is moving ahead, with KBR selected for U.S.-funded Pre-FEED work supported by USTDA; the plan targets about 560,000 tonnes/year and roughly 900 MW of electrolyser capacity, tying renewable power to hydrogen and ammonia synthesis for export markets. U.S.-Morocco Infrastructure Engagement: U.S. Embassy officials visited the Dakhla Atlantic Port, calling it strategic for trade and connectivity and linking Washington’s growing economic focus in the Moroccan Sahara to energy, tech, critical minerals, and defense cooperation. MINURSO Leadership Update: UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Pakistan’s Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed as the new MINURSO Force Commander, succeeding a Bangladeshi general, as the mission continues its Western Sahara mandate. Sahrawi Cause and Digital Strategy: Algerian academics at a Polisario/Sahrawi summer university urged Sahrawi cadres to use technology and social media to counter disinformation and highlighted the resources and legal dimensions of Western Sahara. Ceuta Migration Fallout: Reports on the Ceuta crisis keep spotlighting viral misinformation and political framing around the July crossings, with the Western Sahara dispute repeatedly cited as part of the wider pressure game around Europe’s southern border. Science Policy in Morocco: Morocco’s 10-year (2026–2035) research strategy aims to boost university-led innovation, strengthen research-industry links, and expand institutions to ease access and regional shortages.

U.S.-Morocco Economic Push: U.S. Embassy officials visited the Dakhla Atlantic Port, calling it strategic infrastructure to boost trade and give Sahel states access to Atlantic markets, while Washington also points to Western Sahara as a frontier for energy, technology, and investment. Green Ammonia Engineering: ORNX Green Hydrogen’s Laayoune project is moving forward: KBR has been selected for Pre-FEED, backed by USTDA funding, targeting ~560,000 tonnes/year of low-carbon ammonia using ~900 MW of electrolyser capacity and linking production to port exports. Energy Security Watch: Europe’s gas diversification away from Russia is still leaving it exposed, with Russia now targeting alternative suppliers in Africa—raising stakes for regional energy projects. Digital Narrative & Tech for Advocacy: At a Polisario summer university, Algerian academics urged Sahrawi cadres to use technology and social media to counter disinformation and to frame Western Sahara’s natural resources in the wider balance of international power. UN MINURSO Leadership: UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Pakistan’s Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed as the new MINURSO Force Commander, succeeding a Bangladeshi general.

Green Ammonia Push for Laayoune: ORNX Green Hydrogen is developing a low-carbon ammonia project in Morocco’s Laayoune region aimed at ~560,000 tonnes/year, using about 900 MW of electrolyser capacity powered by renewables, with port access for exports. USTDA-Backed Engineering Role: KBR has been selected to provide ammonia technology licensing and pre-FEED services, with the study supported by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and carried out alongside partners including GE Vernova, Electric Hydrogen, and Terabase. Ceuta Border Shock, EU Politics in Focus: Spain’s Ceuta crisis after late-July mass crossings remains politically charged, with debates over returns, responsibility, and how migration strains EU coordination. MINURSO Leadership Update: UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Pakistan’s Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed as the new MINURSO Force Commander, taking over from a Bangladeshi general. Sahrawi Cause in the Digital Age: A Polisario/Sahrawi summer university session highlighted using technology and media platforms to advance the Sahrawi cause and counter disinformation.

UN MINURSO Update: UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Pakistan’s Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed as the new Force Commander of MINURSO in Western Sahara, succeeding a Bangladeshi general—an operational leadership change in Laayoune. Green Energy & Industry: KBR was selected by ORNX Green Hydrogen for the Pre-FEED phase of a world-scale, low-cost ammonia project in the Laâyoune region, backed by U.S. funding via USTDA; the study targets ~560,000 metric tons/year using about 900 MW of electrolyzer capacity and aims to link renewable power, hydrogen production, and ammonia synthesis with port access. Sahrawi Cause in Tech & Media: At a Polisario/Sahrawi Summer University in Boumerdes, Algerian academics urged Sahrawi cadres to use technology and social media to counter disinformation and highlighted the resources and legal dimensions of Western Sahara. Ceuta Shock, EU Politics: Spain continues to close the chapter on the late-July Ceuta mass crossing after thousands reportedly returned to Morocco, while the crisis keeps fueling political blame and wider EU migration tensions.

AI & Protest: In San Francisco, Wynd Kaufman, a retired teacher and StopAI supporter, has become the first person jailed for blocking OpenAI’s headquarters in an anti–AI protest, with campaigners calling her the “Rosa Parks of AI risk.” U.S.-Morocco Trade & Western Sahara Links: A U.S. Embassy team visited the Dakhla Atlantic Port, framing it as part of Washington’s push for investment in Morocco and the Western Sahara territory, while earlier U.S. funding also backed Laayoune ammonia planning. Green Ammonia for Laayoune: KBR was selected by ORNX Green Hydrogen to run the Pre-FEED phase for a world-scale, low-carbon ammonia project in the Laayoune region, targeting ~560,000 tons/year and ~900 MW of electrolyzer capacity, supported by USTDA. MINURSO Leadership: UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Pakistan’s Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed as the new MINURSO Force Commander, succeeding a Bangladeshi general. Sahrawi Cause via Tech: Algerian academics at a Polisario Summer University urged Sahrawi use of digital tools and social media to counter disinformation and strengthen advocacy. Ceuta Shockwaves: Coverage continues to unpack the late-July Ceuta mass crossing and the role of online misinformation, border pressure, and political fallout across Europe.

Energy & Industry: U.S. engineering firm KBR has been picked by ORNX Green Hydrogen for the Pre-FEED phase of a world-scale, low-cost green ammonia project in the Laayoune region, backed by USTDA funding; the study targets ~560,000 metric tons of ammonia per year using about 900 MW of electrolyzer capacity, tying renewable power, hydrogen production and ammonia synthesis to port-linked export plans. Diplomacy & Security: The UN has appointed Pakistan’s Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed as the new MINURSO Force Commander, succeeding a Bangladeshi general whose term ended Aug. 2, as MINURSO continues its Western Sahara mandate. Tech for Advocacy: At a Polisario Summer University in Boumerdes, Sahrawi and Algerian academics urged using digital tools and training Sahrawi cadres to counter disinformation and push human-rights messaging online. U.S.-Morocco Engagement: A U.S. Embassy team visited the Dakhla Atlantic Port, framing it as a connectivity and trade boost after Trump directed deeper investment and cooperation in the region, including the Western Sahara territory. Border Tech & Misinformation: Coverage of the Ceuta crisis highlights how fast-moving social media rumors helped trigger mass crossings and deadly chaos, turning online narratives into real-world movement.

Energy & Industry: KBR has been selected by ORNX Green Hydrogen to run the Pre-FEED phase for a world-scale, low-cost ammonia project in the Laâyoune region, backed by U.S. Trade and Development Agency funding; the plan targets ~560,000 metric tons per year using about 900 MW of electrolyzer capacity, linking renewable power, hydrogen production, and ammonia synthesis with port access. U.S.-Morocco Economic Push: A U.S. Embassy team visited the Dakhla Atlantic Port, signaling deeper Washington engagement in southern Morocco after Trump urged investment and development in the Western Sahara territory, with energy, AI, critical minerals, and defense flagged for cooperation. UN Peacekeeping Update: UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Pakistan’s Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed as the new MINURSO Force Commander, succeeding a Bangladeshi general. Sahrawi Tech & Diplomacy: At a Polisario Summer University, Algerian academics urged using technology and media to counter disinformation and highlighted the role of Western Sahara’s natural resources in power balances. Science Policy: Morocco unveiled a 10-year (2026–2035) strategy to boost university-led research and innovation, aiming to strengthen research-industry links and expand higher-education capacity. Border Tech & Society: Coverage of the Ceuta crisis continues to focus on how fast social media rumors can trigger mass movement and reshape political responses.

Green Energy & Industry: KBR has been selected by ORNX Green Hydrogen to run the Pre-FEED phase for a world-scale, low-cost ammonia project in the Laâyoune region, backed by USTDA funding; the plan targets ~560,000 metric tons per year using about 900 MW of electrolyzer capacity, bundling renewable power, hydrogen production, and ammonia synthesis into one platform. UN Peacekeeping: UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Pakistan’s Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed as the new MINURSO Force Commander, succeeding a Bangladeshi general, with a farewell ceremony held in Laayoune. Sahrawi Tech & Media: At the Polisario Summer University, Algerian academics urged Sahrawi cadres to use technology and social media to counter disinformation and highlighted Western Sahara’s natural resources and sovereignty claims. Western Sahara Diplomacy: Another lecture stressed long-running Sahrawi diplomatic efforts and human-rights advocacy, including restrictions on access, expression, and alleged resource plundering. Biodiversity: A feature on the addax warns how human pressure is shrinking the Sahara’s last strongholds for this desert-adapted antelope.

Green Hydrogen & Industry: KBR has been selected by ORNX Green Hydrogen to run the Pre-FEED phase for a world-scale, low-cost ammonia project tied to the Laâyoune region, backed by U.S. Trade and Development Agency funding—aiming for about 560,000 metric tons of ammonia per year using roughly 900 MW of electrolyzer capacity, with power, hydrogen, and ammonia synthesis integrated for export-oriented production. UN Peacekeeping Update: The UN has appointed Pakistan’s Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed as the new Force Commander of MINURSO in Western Sahara, taking over from a Bangladeshi general and continuing leadership at the mission’s Laayoune headquarters. Sahrawi Cause & Digital Strategy: At the Polisario/Sahrawi Summer University, Algerian academics urged Sahrawi cadres to use technology and social media to counter disinformation and to highlight the resources and legal dimensions of Western Sahara in international power balances. Regional Tech & Research Policy: Morocco unveiled a 10-year (2026–2035) science and research strategy to boost university-driven innovation, strengthen institutional autonomy, and expand higher-education capacity. Ceuta Spillover & Migration Tech: Coverage of the Ceuta border crisis keeps spotlighting how fast social media misinformation can turn a court ruling into mass movement, raising questions for Europe’s border management and crisis response. Aviation Milestone (Regional Security): Algeria inducted initial Su-57E units, a major 5th-generation leap that could shift Maghrebi air-power dynamics and regional security calculations.

Green Ammonia Push: KBR was selected by ORNX Green Hydrogen to run the pre-FEED study for a world-scale, low-cost ammonia project in the Laayoune region of Morocco, backed by U.S. Trade and Development Agency funding. The plan targets about 560,000 metric tons per year of ammonia using roughly 900 MW of electrolyzer capacity, bundling renewable power, hydrogen production, and ammonia synthesis with port-linked export ambitions. MINURSO Update: The UN appointed Pakistan’s Maj Gen Jawwad Ahmed as the new MINURSO Force Commander, taking over from a Bangladeshi general after a handover ceremony in Laayoune. Sahrawi Diplomacy: A Sahrawi-focused lecture in Algeria highlighted long-running diplomatic efforts and alleged human-rights abuses by Moroccan authorities in occupied Western Sahara, including restrictions on access, expression, and assembly. Research & Innovation Strategy: Morocco’s 10-year science plan (2026–2035) aims to strengthen university-led research and innovation, boost investment links to industry, and expand higher-education capacity across regions. Ocean Food Warning: A report argues aquaculture marketing can mislead consumers, noting that some farmed seafood relies on wild fish inputs and may worsen ocean depletion.

Green Ammonia Push in Laâyoune: KBR has been picked by ORNX Green Hydrogen to run the Pre-FEED phase for a world-scale, low-carbon ammonia project in Morocco’s Laâyoune region, backed by U.S. Trade and Development Agency funding. The plan targets about 560,000 tons per year of ammonia using roughly 900 MW of electrolyser capacity, bundling renewable power, hydrogen production, and ammonia synthesis with export-oriented port access. Ceuta Tech-and-Policy Shockwave: A week after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into Spain’s Ceuta from Morocco, local leaders say 3,000–5,000 people still remain and residents feel “sad, helpless, anxious,” while debates keep circling around misinformation, border security, and whether migration is being used as leverage in wider Western Sahara and EU politics.

Energy & Industry: KBR has been picked by ORNX Green Hydrogen to run the Pre-FEED phase for a world-scale, low-carbon ammonia project in Morocco’s Laâyoune region, backed by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. The plan targets about 560,000 metric tons of ammonia per year using roughly 900 MW of electrolyzer capacity, tying renewable power, hydrogen production, and ammonia synthesis into one export-oriented platform. Western Sahara Diplomacy: A new wave of debate revisits how EU-Morocco trade rules tied to Western Sahara were ruled unlawful by the EU’s top court, while politics moved to keep relations going anyway. Regional Geopolitics: Analysis links the Iran–Israel conflict to shifting North African alignments, with Western Sahara still shaping Morocco’s external choices. Ceuta Migration Crisis: After the late-July surge into Spain’s Ceuta enclave, reporting focuses on the aftermath—thousands still in the city at points, disputed causes, and how misinformation and cross-border leverage turned a border event into a wider political fight.

Green Hydrogen & Ammonia in Laâyoune: KBR was picked by ORNX Green Hydrogen to run technology licensing and Pre-FEED for a large low-cost ammonia project in Morocco’s Laâyoune region, backed by USTDA funding. The plan targets about 560,000 metric tonnes of ammonia per year using roughly 900MW of electrolyser capacity, tying renewable power, hydrogen production, and ammonia synthesis into one export-oriented platform. Ceuta Border Shock & Tech-Driven Misinformation: A week after tens of thousands of people crossed into Spain’s Ceuta from Morocco, the immediate crisis eased but the fallout remains: reports cite 3,000–5,000 still in the city and around 100+ deaths. Multiple accounts point to social media rumors and fast-moving political narratives that turned a humanitarian emergency into a wider EU dispute over migration, sovereignty, and coordination. Western Sahara as a Pressure Lever: Commentary continues to frame Western Sahara and Morocco–EU relations as part of the broader geopolitical chessboard, with renewed focus on Morocco’s autonomy push and how it shapes European bargaining—especially around Spain.

Ceuta Border Shock: Tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta around July 30, triggering chaos, looting, and a humanitarian emergency; reports cite dozens dead and thousands of migrants still in the city before most returned, while officials and EU lawmakers debated next steps and whether security is effectively “in the hands of a third country.” Western Sahara Diplomacy: Morocco’s Western Sahara position is again framed as a pressure lever on the EU, with UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (Oct 2025) putting Morocco’s autonomy plan at the center of negotiations and “realism” gaining ground. New Partners, New Signals: Colombia’s new leadership recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and restored ties with Israel, with analysts pointing to wider opportunities in trade, energy, agriculture, and scientific research. Solar Science Moment: Europe braces for the Aug 12, 2026 total solar eclipse, with visibility across parts of the UK and other countries—an easy science win for public engagement.

Western Sahara Diplomacy: Morocco is using the Western Sahara dispute as leverage over the EU, with the issue tied to EU dependencies on Rabat for markets and on Algiers for energy, while migration becomes the “bargaining chip” that can pressure Spain and Brussels. UN Realism Shift: After UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (Oct 2025), Western powers are reportedly aligning behind Morocco’s autonomy plan as a more negotiable, politically viable path, with the US role deepening after its 2020 recognition. Ceuta Migration Tech & Geopolitics: The week’s biggest shock was the Ceuta border surge—tens of thousands crossing from Morocco, chaos, and a disputed death toll—fuelled by misleading social posts about “open borders,” showing how digital misinformation can trigger mass movement and diplomatic fallout. EU Border Strain: EU ministers rallied behind Spain as the crisis exposed weak coordination and the vulnerability of Europe’s frontier with Morocco. Morocco–Colombia Link: Colombia’s new leadership recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and dropped recognition of the Polisario, opening doors for trade, investment, and cooperation including scientific research. Solar Eclipse (Science): A total solar eclipse on Aug 12 is set to be visible across parts of Europe, with the UK among the best-placed locations.

Ceuta Crisis: Tens of thousands of mostly young Moroccans surged into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta around July 30, overwhelming a city of about 84,000 and triggering chaos, looting, and a humanitarian emergency; Spanish officials put entries near 50,000–60,000 in a day, while the death toll climbed to at least 88 (Moroccan figures are lower), with many deaths from drowning and crushing. Border Tech & Misinformation: Reports say social media rumors—linked to confusion around a Spanish Supreme Court ruling on sea arrivals—helped spread the claim that the border was “open,” while investigators and officials debate who enabled the rush. EU Politics & Security: Spain deployed forces and, within roughly 48 hours, most arrivals were returned to Morocco, but Ceuta residents say the situation is not “normal,” and EU ministers face renewed pressure over border coordination and Schengen. Sahara Diplomacy Spillover: Separate coverage highlights Colombia’s new president recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, and Morocco naming a key highway after Donald Trump—moves that underscore how Sahara diplomacy and migration leverage keep colliding across the region.