The former governor of Burundi’s central bank, Dieudonné Murengerantwari, has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering and misappropriation of public assets.
Mr. Murengerantwari, who was sacked by President Évariste Ndayishimiye on Sunday, is accused of “undermining the proper functioning of the national economy, passive corruption, money laundering and misappropriation of public assets,” the ministry said in a statement.
The charges are “provisional” pending the outcome of investigations, Attorney General Leonard Manirakiza said, adding that Mr. Murengerantwari would remain in custody while the probe continued.
Mr. Murengerantwari has not yet responded to the allegations or appointed a lawyer to represent him.
He was appointed as the head of the central bank in July 2020 for a five-year term, 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He has been replaced by Édouard Normand Bigendako, a member of the central bank’s board.
Mr. Murengerantwari is the second central bank chief in Africa to run into legal trouble this year. In June, Nigeria’s central bank governor Godwin Emefiele was suspended and later charged with illegally owning a shotgun and cartridges. He denied the charges.
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 percent of the population of 12 million live in poverty, according to the World Bank.
Burundi is also recovering from a political crisis that erupted in 2015 when former President Pierre Nkurunziza sought a third term in office, sparking protests and violence that killed hundreds and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Mr. Ndayishimiye, who succeeded Mr. Nkurunziza after his death in June 2020, has vowed to fight corruption and improve governance in the country.
He has also sought to mend relations with neighboring countries and international donors that had cut off aid to Burundi over human rights concerns.
However, human rights groups have accused his government of continuing to crack down on dissent and restrict civil liberties.