IGAD Governance: IGAD’s Executive Secretary pushed back hard on a June 23 report, saying anonymous allegations about financial mismanagement and procurement irregularities fail to meet basic standards and ignore IGAD’s member-state oversight structure. Red Sea & Horn of Africa Security: With threats tied to the Strait of Hormuz and possible spillover toward the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, a commentary argues the U.S. should recognize Somaliland to help secure the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint that carries a major share of container and oil trade. Djibouti’s Strategic Role: A separate piece highlights how Djibouti’s dense base “architecture” around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait shapes regional security and global logistics, as major powers keep expanding presence. Shipping & Trade Networks: New analysis says container carriers are decentralizing away from Asia’s mega-hubs toward secondary regional ports, driven by Red Sea instability and supply-chain diversification. Low-Carbon Shipping Costs: Wärtsilä warns that IMO delays and fragmented rules are making low-carbon fuel adoption financially harder for shipping lines. Energy & Infrastructure: Ethiopia’s GERD is framed as a domestically financed megaproject boosting power capacity and energy security, while Ethiopian officials also admit debt and underutilization from earlier megaproject expansion. Djibouti in the Digital Economy: A market outlook projects data-center investment growth across Africa, with Djibouti expected to attract part of the wave. Solar Push: Djibouti is turning to Morocco to develop solar energy. Maritime Industry Diplomacy: Italy’s minehunters are reported to be stationed in Djibouti ahead of a major mine-clearing mission near the Strait of Hormuz. Regional Training & Operations: U.S. forces at Camp Lemonnier deployed HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, expanding rapid-response rescue capability for East Africa. Water & Compliance: Saudi Arabia shut 12 Jeddah water bottling plants over serious health and safety violations—an example of tighter enforcement that affects regional food and beverage supply chains.