Africa

Former Burundi Prime Minister Released From Prison on Medical Grounds

Burundi’s former Prime Minister General Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni, serving a life sentence for an attempted coup, was released on medical grounds on Wednesday.

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Newstimehub

11 Mar, 2026

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Former prime minister of Burundi, Alain‑Guillaume Bunyoni, has been released from prison on medical grounds after his health reportedly deteriorated.

Bunyoni had been serving a life sentence following a conviction linked to an alleged coup attempt against President Evariste Ndayishimiye. He previously held several powerful positions in the country, including police chief, internal security minister, and prime minister between 2020 and 2022.

According to judicial sources, the court granted him provisional release for medical reasons after concerns about his worsening condition. Human rights groups say he suffers from severe diabetes and that his health declined while in prison due to limited medical care. Reports also mention loss of motor skills and speech difficulties.

Bunyoni had already been hospitalized since October before authorities allowed him to return to his home in Bujumbura, the country’s commercial capital.

Family members say his condition remains extremely worrying, and it is unclear how long the medical release will last or what the next legal steps will be.

Source: TRT Africa