On July 13, at the Ministry of Defence in Djibouti, Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis (EL N), 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.
The medal ceremony, announced in a press release by the European External Action Service (EEAS) on July 15, 2026, underscores the EU's ongoing engagement with Djibouti, a key partner in the Horn of Africa for maritime security. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU's naval operation in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, focuses on protecting freedom of navigation and deterring threats to maritime traffic. The award highlights the operational and planning support provided by Djiboutian authorities to the EU mission. No prior coverage of this specific event exists in the available record.