Hostage Diplomacy: Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told the National Assembly that the government is pursuing diplomatic efforts to secure the release of 10 Pakistani citizens held hostage in Somalia, after the hijacking of the oil tanker Honour 25 on April 21; Tarar said Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has contacted Somalia’s foreign minister, the Foreign Office is engaged, and Pakistan’s mission in Djibouti is monitoring closely, though the captors are held by a non-state group, complicating location and access. Regional Security Coordination: In Somalia, AUSSOM officials met in Beledweyne to review security gains and tighten coordination, including the arrival of a new Ghana Formed Police Unit contingent to support Somali police operations, with Djiboutian battalion leadership attending. Energy & Connectivity Milestone: The World Bank and AfDB reported that Mission 300 has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 countries, with Djibouti named among countries signing compacts to accelerate electrification. Horn of Africa Diplomacy: Egypt’s foreign minister and Djibouti’s counterpart rejected unilateral actions that undermine sovereignty and stability during talks focused on Horn security, while also highlighting cooperation in energy, logistics, ports, and maritime connectivity. Military Presence in the Region: Reports say mine-sweepers dispatched to Djibouti are preparing for a G7-linked flotilla mission in the Hormuz area, underscoring Djibouti’s ongoing role in Red Sea and wider maritime security.