Maritime Security: Somalia’s piracy comeback is back in focus after UKMTO and MSCIO alerts said eight armed men seized control of a commercial cargo vessel off the Horn of Africa, with the crew reported safe; the incident follows a wider 2026 pattern of hijackings and shows pirates are again using seized ships as platforms. Counter-Drone Arms Race: A new report says militaries across Africa are lagging behind insurgents’ weaponized drone use, with Somalia’s al-Shabaab and Islamic State Somalia linked to Red Sea networks working on drone capability. Local Skills & Jobs: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Prof. Addow Technical School in Galkayo, urging investment in vocational training to tackle youth unemployment through practical skills like construction, electrical work, and mechanics. Trade & Industry: Somalia is set to begin duty-free fish exports to China next month, with the deal aimed at boosting jobs and investment in cold storage and processing—though food safety and limited processing capacity remain hurdles. Labour & Integration: FESTU met AfCFTA leadership in Mogadishu, pushing for stronger worker protections and a real role for unions as Somalia moves into the AfCFTA single market. Security Transition: Somalia’s president said the country no longer needs foreign AU peacekeepers, as the Somali National Army graduated its largest class since 1991, with Saudi-backed training support.