Maritime Security: Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCOC) member states are setting up a task force to tackle a resurgence of piracy in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, with plans to share intelligence on suspicious vessels, coordinate coast guard and naval operations, boost surveillance, and speed up responses when incidents are reported. Somalia Incident: Reports say an unnamed cargo ship was boarded by at least eight pirates off Somalia on Aug. 17, about 4.5 nautical miles south of Maraya; the crew is reported safe and EUNAVFOR ATALANTA is monitoring, while negotiations continue for other vessels held for months. Regional Trade Facilitation: Kenya hosted a two-day workshop to validate the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) Trade Facilitation Roadmap 2026–2031, covering Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan, aiming to cut border frictions and align reforms across corridors, border management and logistics. Red Sea Coalition: Saudi Arabia’s 14-state maritime defense coalition is taking shape to protect navigation through Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden, with Djibouti among the signatories, as attacks linked to the Houthi campaign keep disrupting trade routes. Labour Mobility: Tanzania took over chairmanship of the East and Horn of Africa labour migration committee, aiming to strengthen safe, orderly and regular migration cooperation with private sector and development partners.