Ethiopia–Red Sea Tensions: Former Water Minister Shiferaw Jarso says Egypt is trying to keep Ethiopia landlocked by exploiting internal divisions and backing forces that weaken Addis Ababa’s Red Sea push, as Ethiopia reiterates it will pursue maritime access through “peaceful and sustainable means.” Executive Presidency Debate: Ethiopia’s national dialogue has backed constitutional changes to create an “executive presidency,” a move seen by many as a way to consolidate Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s control, with the proposal expected to go to parliament in October. Refugee/Return Policy: Ethiopia says it has implemented major reforms at its Refugee and Returnee Service using internal resources, including livelihood initiatives under “Bounty of the Basket,” while also reporting repatriation support for thousands of Ethiopians stranded abroad. Health Financing & Data: ECA’s workshop in Ethiopia and other pilot countries trains health ministries and statistics offices to build social accounting matrices that frame health spending as an investment. AFCON Coaching Shake-up: South Africa confirmed Pitso Mosimane as coach with just 23 days to prepare for the first 2027 AFCON qualifier at home to Guinea. Regional Tech Push: Kenya’s digital health drive is moving from pilots to implementation, with AI-supported diagnostics and telemedicine attracting regional interest. AU Credit Rating Agency: The African Union is set to launch a continent-wide credit ratings agency in October, aiming to strengthen Africa’s financial footing.