Northern Corridor Green Freight: UNEP has signed a funding deal with NCTTCA to speed up the Northern Corridor Green Freight Strategy 2030, including greenhouse-gas tracking, electrification studies for Mombasa port operations, and support for more women in freight—aimed at modernising the region’s main trade artery. Gitega Politics & Elections: In Gitega, President Évariste Ndayishimiye met political parties as Frodebu’s Patrick Nkurunziza pressed for reforms and credible elections in 2027, citing irregularities in past polls. Judicial Overhaul Plan: Burundi says it will invest over 60.5 billion BIF to build local and first-instance courts plus prosecutor offices across provinces and districts—an effort to bring justice closer, though observers warn infrastructure alone won’t fix deeper sector problems. Human Trafficking Warning: Burundi’s anti-trafficking bodies warn that school holidays raise risks of child recruitment and smuggling to neighbouring countries and beyond, urging parents and local authorities to stay vigilant. Justice System Infrastructure: The government’s court-building phase includes 158 local courts and 24 first-instance courts, with prosecutors’ offices—presented as a major step to reduce delays and distance for litigants. Regional Security Cooperation: Nigeria’s defence leadership reiterated plans to deepen military cooperation with Burundi and Benin to counter terrorism and cross-border crime, including training and intelligence sharing.