Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 140

140th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 140th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Jan 15, 2026 and Apr 30, 2026. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Guinea Appoints Mariama Ciré Sylla as New Minister of Economy and Finance Following Cabinet Reshuffle

One noteworthy event has occurred in Guinea, Guinea has appointed Mariama Ciré Sylla (pictured) as minister of economy and finance following a partial cabinet reshuffle announced on February 2 by President Mamadi Doumbouya. She replaces Mourana Soumah, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Communication, Digital Economy, and Innovation.

Ciré Sylla takes over the finance portfolio after serving as minister of agriculture since July 2025. Her new role places her in charge of state revenue, public spending, debt management, and relations with technical and financial partners. She assumes office at a time when Guinea faces the challenge of managing mining revenues, financing infrastructure, and supporting public services while preserving fiscal balance.

Yumnam Khemchand Singh Sworn in as Chief Minister of Manipur After President’s Rule Ends

Shifting our focus to India, Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur on February 4, 2026, at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Imphal. Singh, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), assumes leadership following the revocation of President’s rule, which had been in effect since February 2025.

Alongside Singh, several ministers also took their oaths. Notably, Nemcha Kipgen becomes the first Deputy Chief Minister from the Kuki community, while Losii Dikho from the Naga People’s Front is the other Deputy Chief Minister. The ceremony was attended by various BJP legislators, senior officials, and leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state.

Dr Humaira Sultana Appointed First Female MD and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines

In Bangladesh, the government appointed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Additional Secretary (Aviation and CA) Dr Humaira Sultana as managing director and chief executive officer of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

She becomes the first woman to hold the post in the national flag carrier’s 54-year history.

In an order issued, the ministry said Humaira has been given additional responsibilities as MD and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited until further posting to the position.

The order also cancelled the contractual appointment of Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman, the airline’s immediate former CEO and MD, following his imprisonment in connection with criminal charges.

DFSA Fines Ed Broking USD 455,176 for Misleading and Deceptive Conduct

In the realm of regulatory affairs, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the independent banking, financial services, and markets regulator of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has imposed a fine of USD 455,176 (AED 1,671,633) on reinsurance brokerage Ed Broking (MENA) Limited (the Firm), for a number of contraventions of DFSA legislation, including engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct.

The Firm agreed to settle the matter and pay a fine which comprises disgorgement of USD 175,343 (USD 148,039 plus interest of USD 27,304) and a penalty of USD 279,833. The fine was reduced from USD 575,104 (AED 2,112,069) as a result of the settlement.

The DFSA determined that the Firm: respectively provided cedent insurers (the Firm’s Clients) – being the original insurers issuing the underlying policies – and reinsurers with two different premiums in respect of the same reinsurance placement; misled reinsurers about the deductions applied on the premium and the brokerage commission earned by the Firm; and misled a client about the brokerage earned by the Firm from 121 placements, as well as the deductions to the premium from some of those placements.

Former Chinese Justice Minister Tang Yijun Sentenced to Life for $20 Million Bribe

Shifting our attention to China, a court in China said on Monday (Feb 2) it had sentenced a former justice minister to life in prison after finding him guilty of accepting bribes totalling almost US$20 million over more than a decade.

Tang Yijun, 64, was China’s justice minister from 2020 to 2023 and held various other positions during his career, including governor of Liaoning province and head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for the city of Ningbo.

President Xi Jinping has waged a sweeping anti-corruption purge since coming to power in 2012, a crackdown that critics say allows him to eliminate potential political rivals.

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