Water & Flood Risk: SODMA says the Shabelle River has breached at 366 critical points, with decades of silt buildup and long-delayed dredging raising flood danger—made harder by al-Shabaab influence along parts of the river. Maritime Security & Costs: Piracy is back in the western Indian Ocean, with six hijackings since April pushing up import-risk for Kenya and landlocked neighbors; Puntland says ransoms were paid for some vessels, while the Asana tanker remains held. Red Sea Governance & Nile Politics: Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia issued the Alamein Joint Declaration rejecting unilateral moves that harm Nile water uses and asserting Red Sea governance for coastal states—while also backing Somalia’s unity and rejecting interference and “so-called Somaliland.” Somalia–Ethiopia Port Talks: Somalia says Ethiopia can use two or three Somali ports for commercial trade under Somali sovereignty, keeping the Ankara-style access framework separate from any sovereignty transfer. Israel Presence Row: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reiterated Somalia will not accept an Israeli military foothold in Berbera or elsewhere, drawing a sharp response from Somaliland. Blue Economy: Tanzania is set to host COP12 for the Nairobi Convention on marine conservation, targeting pollution, illegal fishing and coastal ecosystem protection. Health & Industry: A Somalia cancer-focused report points to environmental contamination risks and calls for local diagnostics and treatment capacity.