France-Africa Backlash: Macron’s “Pan-Africanist” pitch in Nairobi is met with sharp pushback, with critics arguing France is trying to rebrand a shrinking footprint after losing ground across West Africa and Sahel. Horn Integration: Ethiopia hosted the Horn Inter-Elite Dialogue in Jigjiga, urging deeper regional integration and durable peace as insecurity, climate shocks, and Red Sea corridor competition keep fracturing cooperation. Djibouti Water Security: UNICEF says a China-funded, two-year project will improve water supply and safety for 120,000+ people in Djibouti using solar pumps, borehole rehab, and purification units, with training to keep systems running through 2028. Red Sea Logistics Pressure: The Iran-war fallout keeps reshaping shipping routes and insurance costs around the Red Sea and Hormuz, while France and others prepare defensive maritime options. Somali Piracy Human Cost: Families in Karachi protest the continued captivity of Pakistani seafarers after a tanker was seized off Somalia, with reports of rising pirate demands. Local Industry Watch: Djibouti’s Fuelstor fuel hub construction is underway, aimed at strengthening regional energy supply resilience.