Horn of Africa Diplomacy: India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, Anil Kumar Rai, says New Delhi is moving from “resource base” thinking to a deeper strategic partnership with Africa—built around development, digital public infrastructure, and South-South solidarity. Regional Integration Push: Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Guelleh was sworn in pledging to accelerate the DESSU corridor and turn the Horn into a trade-and-logistics hub, with leaders from Ethiopia and South Sudan attending. UN Leadership Change: Monica Juma assumed office in Vienna as UNODC Executive Director and UNOV Director-General, promising a focus on drugs, organized crime, corruption, and terrorism. Sudan/Ethiopia Flashpoints: EEPA reports SAF recaptured Al-Kayli and warns of looming clashes near the Sudan-Libya-Egypt border triangle; in Ethiopia, Tigray’s interim leadership warns against forced takeovers. Maritime Security Watch: Somali pirates hijacked the MT Honour 25 off Somalia, demanding a reported $7m ransom—keeping Djibouti’s port-and-corridor security relevance front and center. Egypt Finance Boost: The World Bank approved $1bn to back Egypt’s private sector, jobs, fiscal resilience, and a greener economy.