Bab el-Mandeb Energy Shock: Yemen’s Houthis declared a “maritime embargo” on Saudi Arabia, raising the risk of disruption at the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden—after Iran-linked warnings and amid the still-fragile Strait of Hormuz situation. Shipping Reroutes: New reports say additional vessels reversed course after Houthi warnings, with transit clearances reportedly cancelled for ships bound for Saudi ports, adding pressure to oil and fuel logistics. Djibouti Link: The strait runs between Yemen and Djibouti/Eritrea, putting Djibouti’s maritime corridor and regional trade flows in the spotlight as insurers and operators reassess risk. Regional Security Spillover: Ethiopia arrested 17 suspects in a trafficking network accused of moving 40,000 Ethiopians to Saudi Arabia via Djibouti and Yemen, highlighting how conflict-era routes fuel organized crime. Business & Trade Governance: PACCI elected Tanzania’s Minja as East Africa VP (covering Djibouti among others), aiming to boost intra-African trade and investment—at a time when maritime instability threatens cross-border commerce. Humanitarian Pressure: WHO warned that conflict, funding cuts, and disease outbreaks are worsening the Eastern Mediterranean health crisis, with spillover effects felt across the Greater Horn, including Djibouti.