Sovereignty Watch: Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh told the ruling RPP conference his country “will not allow anyone to interfere” as Horn of Africa and Red Sea rivalry intensifies, while pledging continued investment in education and security. Energy & Trade Costs: A World Bank report says Ethiopian power exports helped halve Djibouti’s production costs, with Africa’s wider electricity market still held back by weak cross-border links and limited power trading. Maritime Security Setup: Saudi-led Red Sea coalition operations moved from announcement to a working headquarters, with Djibouti listed among early supporters as shipping risks keep raising freight, fuel, and insurance costs. Digital Logistics Push: Ethiopia’s ESL launched a digital customer self-service platform for port and cargo services—tracking, booking, demurrage management, digital payments, and AI chat support—aimed at cutting paper-based friction. Djibouti in the Data Backbone: WIOCC secured $300m to expand open-access fibre, data centres, and subsea assets across Africa, with Djibouti Telecom named among WIOCC shareholders. Horn of Africa Connectivity: China’s 49th naval escort mission formally took over in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters, underscoring ongoing pressure on shipping routes.