Burundi
After nearly two years of pretrial detention, Burundian journalist Sandra Muhoza has been granted provisional release by the Ngozi Court of Appeal. Muhoza, who was the only female journalist detained in sub-Saharan Africa, had been held since April 2024 on charges related to sharing information in a private WhatsApp group for media professionals. The court's decision allows her to await the final verdict, expected by March 20, from her home under judicial supervision.
Sandra Muhoza, a journalist with the online outlet La Nova Burundi, was arrested on April 13, 2024, in Ngozi. She was accused of disseminating information about alleged arms distribution by Burundian authorities to young members of the ruling party. Five days after her arrest, she was transferred to Mpimba Central Prison in Bujumbura.
In December 2024, Muhoza was sentenced to 21 months in prison for "undermining the integrity of the national territory" and "racial aversion." Her defense appealed the decision, but the Mukaza Court of Appeal in Bujumbura declared itself incompetent to rule on the matter, effectively annulling the initial proceedings. The case was then referred to the Ngozi High Court, where she was transferred in September 2025 as part of a second set of proceedings concerning the same case.
On March 4, 2026, the Ngozi Court of Appeal ordered Muhoza's provisional release. The release order places her under judicial supervision, requiring her not to leave her province of residence and to report to the judge once a month. This decision allows her to reunite with her family and receive necessary medical treatment while awaiting the court's final verdict.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed the court's decision, emphasizing the importance of allowing Muhoza to be with her loved ones and to receive medical care. RSF also called on the Burundian judiciary to drop all charges against the journalist, highlighting concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in the country.
Muhoza's case has drawn international attention to the state of press freedom in Burundi. Her prolonged detention and the charges against her have been viewed by many as indicative of the challenges faced by journalists in the region. The outcome of her final verdict will likely have significant implications for media practitioners and the broader discourse on freedom of expression in Burundi.
As the judicial process continues, observers and advocacy groups will be closely monitoring the developments, hoping for a resolution that upholds the principles of justice and press freedom.
