Burundi President Fires Central Bank Governor, arrested over money laundering accusations

Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye has reportedly sacked the Burundi Central Bank governor and ordered his arrest on suspicion of money laundering and misappropriation of public assets.

On Sunday, the President fired Dieudonné Murengerantwari, just over a year after he took up the post.

The charges against Dieudonné Murengerantwari are “provisional” pending the outcome of investigations, the justice ministry said.

Mr Murengerantwari has not yet responded to the allegations.

Burundi’s economy is in deep trouble with a shortage of foreign currency that has made it difficult to import goods.

In recent years, it has also been hit by a shortage of fuel from time to time, and a rise in prices that has worsened the cost of living crisis.

About 65% of the population of 12 million live in poverty, according to the World Bank.

In a statement, the justice ministry accused Mr Murengerantwari of “undermining the proper functioning of the national economy, passive corruption, money laundering and misappropriation of public assets”.

It did not give further details, but Attorney General Leonard Manirakiza said the ex-governor would remain in custody while investigations continued.

Mr Murengerantwari was appointed to the post – which is vital to achieving economic stability – for five years, but was dismissed in his second year in office.

He was previously the managing director of Burundi’s state-linked development bank.

He has been replaced by a member of the bank’s board, Édouard Normand Bigendako.

Mr Murengerantwari is the second central bank chief in Africa to run into legal trouble this year.

Nigeria’s central bank governor Godwin Emefiele was suspended in June, and later charged with illegally owning a shotgun and cartridges. He denied the charges.