On July 13, at the Ministry of Defence in Djibouti, Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, Commander of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, presented the CSDP Service Medal for Planning and Support to Colonel Wais Omar Bogoreh, Chief of the Djiboutian Coast Guard, and Commander Ahmed Daher Djama, Chief of the Djiboutian Navy. The award, authorized by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, recognizes their commitment to strengthening cooperation with the EU and supporting maritime security in the region, according to a press release from the European External Action Service (EEAS) dated July 15, 2026.
The medal ceremony underscores the EU's ongoing engagement with Djibouti, a key partner in the Horn of Africa, to enhance maritime security amid persistent threats such as piracy and illegal trafficking. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU's naval operation in the region, has been active in protecting maritime routes and building local capacity. The award to senior Djiboutian officials highlights the operational and planning support provided by Djibouti to the EU mission, reflecting a mutual commitment to stability in the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean. No prior coverage of this specific event exists in the available record.