Burundi’s Ex-Prime Minister Provisionally Freed for Health Reasons. Bujumbura, Burundi — Burundi’s former Prime Minister, General Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni, has been provisionally released from prison for medical reasons, judicial sources and relatives confirmed on Wednesday. Bunyoni, who has been serving a life sentence for conspiracy against the head of state, was transported from the Gitega regional hospital to his home in Bujumbura in an ambulance around midday. “.
His condition is more than worrying, “a relative told AFP.
The diabetic general, who has been hospitalized since October 2025, has suffered a loss of motor skills and speech in prison, where he was long deprived of adequate care, according to prison sources and rights groups. Bunyoni, once considered the regime’s de facto number two and a hardliner leader under ex-president Pierre Nkurunziza, was appointed prime minister in June 2020 by President Evariste Ndayishimiye.
He was dismissed in September 2022, days after Ndayishimiye denounced an alleged coup plot.
In December 2023, he was convicted of attempting to overthrow the government, threatening the president’s life, illegal enrichment, and economic destabilization. Ruling party generals had demanded his release, and President Ndayishimiye “resolved to free him to reunite his camp, “an anonymous source explained.
Further details regarding Bunyoni’s condition and the implications of his release are expected to emerge in the coming days.
