State Department Hiring Backlash: The US State Department is restarting hiring after last year’s major staffing cuts, but many of the nearly 1,350 laid-off staff say they’re not being contacted and worry the lost know-how can’t be rebuilt fast enough. Djibouti Code of Conduct in Yemen: Yemen is drafting a roadmap for a National Maritime Information Sharing Centre in Aden and strengthening the Regional Maritime Information Sharing Centre, using the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment standards to improve maritime domain awareness. Horn of Africa Trade Push: Kenya is seeking deeper regional backing for the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET), arguing better corridors and border systems will boost intra-Horn trade and jobs, including with Djibouti. Migration Pressure via Djibouti: A UN report says nearly 100,000 irregular migrants entered Yemen in the first half of 2026, with about 80% arriving via Djibouti. Air Cargo Connectivity: ProCharter launched four new weekly cargo corridors from Nairobi to Mogadishu, Kismayo, Djibouti and Juba to speed East Africa imports/exports. Piracy Risk Returns: IMO warns piracy and armed robbery are rising again around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with 44 seafarers still held captive.