Sovereignty Watch: Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh warned that the country “will not allow anyone to interfere” in its internal affairs, citing rising Horn of Africa and Red Sea rivalry and pledging continued investment in education and security. Maritime Costs & Trade: War-risk insurance for Red Sea and Gulf routes has climbed toward decade highs, with Saudi Arabia discussing a state-backed insurance pool—an issue that matters for Djibouti as it handles much of Ethiopia’s seaborne trade through Bab el-Mandeb. Regional Security Footprint: China’s 49th naval escort fleet formally took over its Gulf of Aden mission from the 48th, continuing escort and rescue operations from Djibouti support. Digital Logistics: Ethiopia’s ESL launched a digital customer self-service platform for port and cargo services, including tracking, booking, demurrage management, digital payments and chatbot support—aimed at cutting paper-based processes. Climate Risk to Children: UNICEF says El Niño impacts could affect 162 million children across Eastern and Southern Africa, with Djibouti among the countries facing worsening drought, heat and flooding risks. Digital Infrastructure Investment: WIOCC secured $300m from Africa Finance Corporation and Vision Invest to expand open-access fibre, data centres and subsea cable assets across Africa.