Nairobi, December 2025—On the first anniversary of the conviction of ailing Burundian journalist, 127 African women journalists have written her a joint letter expressing solidarity, calling for her unconditional release, and decrying her imprisonment as robbing the public of “an important voice.”
Muhoza was expected in court on December 19, a family member familiar with her case told CPJ, on condition of anonymity, citing safety concerns. “Some of us are mothers, and we recognize how painful it must be to be separated from your family and your young children, especially as Christmas and the New Year draw near. This is a pain no parent should ever endure,” said the signatories, including veteran journalists, media association heads, and newsroom leaders across the continent.
Muhoza was arrested in April 2024 over comments she made in a journalists’ WhatsApp group on the alleged distribution of machetes in Burundi. On December 16, 2024, she was sentenced to 21 months in prison on charges that included “undermining the integrity of the national territory.”
In May 2025, a court of appeal ruled that Muhoza’s trial had been carried out by a lower court lacking jurisdiction, effectively invalidating her conviction. Despite this, Muhoza remains behind bars and in October authorities began new judicial proceedings against her and denied her provisional release, according to court documents, reviewed by CPJ.
Read the full letter here.
Aline Sandra Muhoza Ngozi
Central Prison Ngozi Burundi
16 December 2025
Dear Sandra,
We write to you as your fellow African women journalists, to express our solidarity amid your ongoing unjust imprisonment. We continue to think of you, and to call for your freedom. We know that you were arrested in April 2024 for expressing your opinion in a journalists’ WhatsApp group. We were deeply disappointed to learn of your conviction in December 2024 and the 21-month prison sentence that followed. While the Bujumbura Mairie Court of Appeal’s May 30, 2025 decision — which invalidated the court proceedings that led to your conviction — was welcome, we have watched with dismay as authorities now pursue new judicial proceedings against you. Your imprisonment is profoundly unjust and robs the Burundian media community and the public of an important voice. Some of us are mothers, and we recognize how painful it must be to be separated from your family and your young children, especially as Christmas and the New Year draw near. This is a pain no parent should ever endure. We have also learned of your ongoing illness, which makes it difficult for you to walk, and we cannot imagine the hardship of facing these health challenges while in prison. The strength with which you endure all of this is a testament to your resilience and courage. We want to reassure you that journalists across Africa and around the world are following your case closely. Many are committed to advocating for your freedom, and we will continue to raise our voices in demanding your immediate and unconditional release. We hope this knowledge brings you some encouragement and strength during this dark and difficult time. We remain confident that good news will soon arrive, and that you will be reunited with your family and allowed to resume your work as a journalist.
Your sisters in solidarity and hope,
- Abigail Arunga (Kenya) 2. Alide Dasnois (South Africa) 3. Amina Wako (Eastleigh Voice/Kenya) 4. Aminata Sanogo (Côte d’Ivoire) 5. Amuna Wagner (Sudan) 6. Ana Jenario (Gem/Angola) 7. Angela Daniels (Nelson Mandela Bay Bureau Editor, Daily Maverick/South Africa) 8. Angela Quintal (Africa Director, Committee to Protect Journalists/South Africa) 9. Anne Anjao (Kenya) 10. Anso Thom (Deputy Editor, Daily Maverick/South Africa) 11. Bibi Ayesha Mall (South Africa) 12. Bolanle Olabimran (Nigeria) 13. Bunmi Yekini (Publisher, Heapnews.ng /Nigeria) 14. Caryn Dolley, (Senior Journalist, Daily Maverick/South Africa) 15. Chiara Carter (South Africa) 16. Codou Loum (Senegal) 17. Comfort Musa (Journalist/Cameroon) 18. De Laure Nesmon (Lemediacitoyen.com/Côte d’Ivoire) 19. Dinesh Balliah (Wits University/South Africa) 20. Dieynaba Thiombane (Senegal) 21. Dorcas Wangira (Kenya) 22. Dorica Mtenje (Malawi) 23. Dorothy Kweyu (Kenya) 24. Elza Sandrine Sawadogo (Burkina Faso) 25. Emelda Libinga Musonda (Managing Editor & Deputy Managing Director, Zambia Daily Mail) 26. Emsie Ferreira (South Africa) 27. Evelyn Okakwu (Nigeria) 28. Faith Zaba (Editor, Zimbabwe Independent) 29. Fatma Mbacké (Senegal) 30. Fatu Camara (Founder & CEO, The Fatu Network/The Gambia) 31. Ferial Haffajee (Associate Editor, Daily Maverick/South Africa) 32. Flore Monteau (Togo) 33. Gaëlle Borgia (Freelance journalist/Madagascar) 34. Genevieve Quintal (South Africa) 35. Geralda Embaló (Executive Director, Nova Gazeta/Angola) 36. Glenda Daniels (Wits University/South Africa) 37. Halima Athumani (Uganda) 38. Hayatte Abdou (Comoros) 39. Heather Robertson (Editor, DM168/South Africa) 40. Indira Baldé (SINJOTECS/Guinea Bissau) 41. Irene Ayaa (South Sudan) 42. Isatou Keita (The Gambia Press Union) 43. Jamila Mohamed (Managing Editor, Citizen TV/ Kenya) 44. Janet Heard (South Africa) 45. Jemima Beukes (Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Whistle/ Namibia) 46. Jillian Green (Editor-In-Chief, Daily Maverick/South Africa) 47. Joan Chirwa (Founder, Free Press Initiative/ Zambia) 48. Joke Kujenya (Nigeria) 49. Joyce Shebe (Chief Editor, Clouds Media Group & Former Chairperson of Tanzania Media Women’s Association/Tanzania). 50. Judith Basutama (Burundi ) 51. Judy Sandison (South Africa) 52. Juliana Francis (Freelancer, securitynewsalert.com /Nigeria) 53. Kate Skinner (Association of Independent Publishers /South Africa) 54. Kath Magrobi (Quote This Woman+/South Africa) 55. Kathambi Ruchiami (Kenya) 56. Khadija Patel (South Africa) 57. Lady Ejiro Umukoro (Publisher/CVO, LightRay! Media/Nigeria) 58. Linda Ngari (Kenya) 59. Lucia Poorter (Editor/South Africa) 60. Lydia Felly Akullu (Uganda) 61. Lydia Namubiru (Editor-in-Chief, The Continent/South Africa & Uganda) 62. Maimouna Lo (Mauritanie) 63. Margaret Vuchiri (Uganda) 64. Marianne Thamm (Associate Editor, Daily Maverick/South Africa) 65. Marion Edmunds (Freelance Journalist & Documentary Maker/South Africa) 66. Mary Mwendwa(Editor, Talkafrica/Kenya) 67. Maya Misikir (Ethiopia) 68. Melini Moses (Express Yourself/South Africa) 69. Mia Malan (South Africa) 70. Mimi Mefo Newuh (Editor-in-Chief, MMI News/Cameroon) 71. Miriam Mbithe (Kenya) 72. Moipone Malefane (South Africa) 73. Mukosha Funga (Zambia) 74. Muthoki Mumo (Africa Program Coordinator, Committee to Protect Journalists/Kenya) 75. Muzinga Julienne (Burundi) 76. Mwape Barbara Kumwenda (Managing Director, Crown TV/Zambia) 77. Mzuri Issa Ali (Tanzania) 78. Nadia Neophytou (South Africa & USA) 79. Naipanoi Lepapa (Kenya) 80. Nancy Booker (Aga Khan University/Kenya) 81. Nandudu Diana Flavia Okia (Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda) 82. Ndeye Fatou Diery Diagne (Senegal) 83. Ndiémé Faye (Senegal) 84. Nechama Brodie (Wits University/South Africa) 85. Neo Ntsoma (Independent Photo Editor/South Africa) 86. Ngina Kirori (Investigative Journalist/Kenya) 87. Njeri Mwangi (Kenya) 88. Njeri Rugene (Executive Director, The Woman’s Newsroom Foundation & AMWIK member/Kenya ) 89. Nompilo Simanje (International Press Institute/Zimbabwe) 90. Nyawira Gichangi (Kenya) 91. Olufunke Fayemi (Assistant Director, English: Voice of Nigeria/ Nigeria) 92. Pamella Makotsi Sittoni (Kenya) 93. Patience Zirima (Zimbabwe) 94. Paula Fray (fraymedia Foundation/South Africa) 95. Paula Silva Melo (President, Women in Media Association (AMPROCS)/ GuineaBissau) 96. Pauline Traoré (Consultante/formatrice en intégrité de l’information – EMI/Ivory Coast) 97. Penda Thiam (Senegal) 98. Phathiswa Magopeni (Executive Director, Press Council SA/South Africa) 99. Queenter Mbori (ED, Association of Media Women in Kenya) 100. R Joyclyn Wea (Senior Correspondent, New Narratives/ Liberia) 101. Rachael Akidi (Founder & Lead Editor, Reebo/Uganda) 102. Rachel Mugarura-Mutana (African Centre for Media Excellence/Uganda) 103. Rachel Ombaka (Kenya) 104. Rael Ombuor (Kenya) 105. Rebeca Mutiso (Kenya) 106. Robi Koki Ochieng (Chairperson, Association of Media Women in Kenya) 107. Rosie Pioth (Republic of the Congo) 108. Rossana Almeida (TCV/ Cape Verde) 109. Ruvimbo Muchenje (Zimbabwe) 110. Ruvimbo Nyikadzino (Zimbabwe) 111. Samira Sabou (Niger) 112. Silaide Muthema (Media Institute of Southern Africa,Mozambique) 113. Simegnish Mengesha (Ethiopia) 114. Slindile Khanyile (CEO and Editor, Likhanyile Group/South Africa) 115. Suelly de Melo (Radio Essencial/Angola) 116. Susan Makore (Vice chairperson, Africa Media Convention/Zimbabwe) 117. Sylvie Ouedraogo (Togo) 118. Taryn De Vega (Rhodes University/South Africa) 119. Thandeka Gqubule-Mbeki (South Africa) 120. Thierryve Ndayishimiye (Correspondent VOA/Rwanda & Burundi) 121. Toepista Nabusoba (Kenya) 122. Tsedale Lemma (CEO, JAKENN Publishing PLC/ Ethiopia) 123. Tsion Tadesse (Editor, VOA Amharic Service/Ethiopia) 124. Verashni Pillay (Founder &s Editor, explain.co.za/South Africa) 125. Victoria Rubadiri (Kenya) 126. Winnie Kamau (Association of Freelance Journalists/Kenya) 127. Zubeida Jaffer (Journalist, author & activist/South Africa
This article was first published by the Committee for the Protection of Journalists. South African journalist, Angela Quintal is Africa Director of CPJ.
Below is a message of gratitude sent by Sandra’s family on Friday (December 19) in response to the letter. But first, some updates on her case:
Sandra appeared in court on Friday (December 19) in Ngozi to face the same charges that led to her conviction last year. That earlier trial, as you will recall, was invalidated by an appeal court in May 2025 on jurisdictional grounds, before authorities commenced new proceedings in October 2025. A new verdict is expected in her case on January 19, 2026, and prosecutors have asked that she be sentenced to 12 years in prison. We will continue to campaign on her behalf and we request that you continue your support by sharing her story in your networks and platforms. There is immense power in your voices and it is critical that we all continue to speak out on Sandra’s behalf, particularly in the coming weeks. Every bit helps. Let me know if we can provide you with any additional resources or information.
Message from Sandra’s Family
Dear sisters, dear colleagues, dear supporters,
We write to you on behalf of the family to convey our sincere and profound gratitude for your letter of solidarity and support.
We wish to inform you that Sandra received your letter today, during the court hearing. Its reception was a deeply moving and comforting moment for her. In the midst of such a difficult and distressing situation, your words provided her with strength, courage, and renewed hope.
For Sandra, your support represents far more than a message. She expressed that it stands as powerful evidence that solidarity, justice, and human dignity transcend borders. Knowing that so many women journalists and defenders of freedom of expression stand by her side enables her to remain strong and to continue believing in a just and fair outcome.
We extend our heartfelt thanks for your commitment, your humanity, and your courageous voices. Your solidarity remains a precious source of light and strength during this ordeal.
With our deepest gratitude and highest respect,
The family
