AUSSOM Funding Shock: Troop and police contributors to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (including Djibouti) met in Kampala after the U.S. warned it may end UN logistical support beyond December, with leaders set to review security, performance and transition plans. Red Sea Shipping Watch: New reporting says vessel traffic through Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz stayed broadly stable, but the Bab el-Mandeb corridor remains sensitive to Houthi actions, including claims of missile strikes on Saudi tankers and renewed talk of tolls/blockades. Djibouti–Italy Infrastructure Push: Med-Or and Djibouti’s Ministry of Economy and Finance signed an MoU in Rome to deepen cooperation on critical infrastructure, subsea connectivity and energy resilience tied to the Bab el-Mandeb corridor. U.S. Visa Hub Realignment: From Aug. 1, the U.S. will stop routine visa processing at 25 African posts and route applicants to regional hubs, including Djibouti, as consular operations are standardized. Humanitarian Links: Djibouti’s Red Crescent leadership joined IFRC and Kenya Red Cross officials to strengthen emergency preparedness and locally led response. Logistics Sector Angle: Ethiopia’s freight and forwarding scene is shifting toward full foreign investment as the country looks to ease bottlenecks tied to Djibouti port costs and capacity limits.