Ngozi, December 16, 2025 — More than 120 African and international women journalists have signed a letter of solidarity addressed to Burundian journalist Aline Sandra Muhoza, currently detained at Ngozi Central Prison. They denounce what they call an unjust incarceration and demand her immediate and unconditional release.
Muhoza was arrested in April 2024 for expressing an opinion in a WhatsApp group of journalists. In December 2024, she was sentenced to 21 months in prison, sparking outrage among press freedom advocates. On May 30, 2025, the Bujumbura Court of Appeal overturned the legal proceedings that led to her conviction, raising hopes for her release. Yet, in a surprising twist, new charges were filed, extending her detention.
In their December 16 letter, the signatories — from countries including Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Burundi* — express deep concern over the prolonged case. They stress that her detention not only violates her freedom but also silences an “essential voice” in Burundian media.
The letter also highlights the human toll of the case. Some signatories, themselves mothers, express empathy for Muhoza’s pain, separated from her family and young children, especially during the holiday season. They raise alarm over her health, citing a chronic illness that makes movement difficult — a harsh reality in prison conditions.
Beyond moral support, the journalists affirm that Muhoza’s case is being closely followed across Africa and globally. Among the signatories are editors-in-chief, newsroom leaders, and members of international press freedom organizations. They vow to continue advocating until she is freed.
This collective action revives the broader conversation on press freedom in Burundi, where journalists regularly report legal and political pressure. For the signatories, freeing Aline Sandra Muhoza would send a powerful message in support of fundamental rights and freedom of expression.