By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The sacked Governor of Burundi’s Central Bank, Dieudonné Murengerantwari has been arrested on allegation of money laundering and misappropriation of public funds.
President Évariste Ndayishimiye had on Sunday sacked the central bank governor barely a year after his appointment.
Mr Murengerantwari has been accused of “undermining the proper functioning of the national economy, passive corruption, money laundering and misappropriation of public assets”, a statement by the justice ministry says.
The charges against Dieudonné Murengerantwari are “provisional” pending the outcome of investigations, the ministry added.
The embattled central bank governor is yet to react to the allegations against him.
Burundi’s economy is troubled arising from the shortage of foreign currency, a situation that has made it difficult to import goods.
In recent years, it has also been hit by a shortage of fuel from 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.
The country’s Attorney General, Leonard Manirakiza says the sacked governor would remain in custody while investigations are ongoing.
Before his appointment for a five-year term, the sacked central bank governor was 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He has been replaced by a member of the bank’s board, Édouard Normand Bigendako.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 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and later charged to court for offences bordering on illegal possession of arms, corruption and others.
He is still being detained in the custody of the Department of State Services in Abuja.
