Despite numerous rumors circulating through social media, officials had not confirmed or denied the reports until Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 when the Minister in Charge of Home Affairs and Security confirmed that Former Prime Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni’s home had been searched.
During a press conference, the Minister of Security confirmed that the residence of the former Prime Minister was searched on Monday April 17th,2023, on the order of the Prosecutor General, though they did not find him at home.
In parallel to the search, two high-ranking officials in the National Police, Alfred Innocent Museremu (head of the foreign intelligence) and Désiré Uwamahoro (head of the anti-riot police), were reportedly arrested. The Minister said that Museremu is free, but Uwamahoro if facing investigation.
However, questions remain about the former Prime Minister’s whereabouts, with many speculating that he has fled to Tanzania. It’s worth noting that Bunyoni, the highest-ranking member of Burundian Police, had previously served as Minister of Security, cabinet advisor to late President Pierre Nkurunziza, and as Prime Minister under Evariste Ndayishimiye after the 2020 elections, before being dismissed on September 7th, 2022.