Chad frees 150 inmates from Klessoum prison under presidential clemency
Chad’s Ministry of Justice executed a presidential pardon on Wednesday, releasing 150 inmates from Klessoum Correctional Facility under Decree No. 2151/PR/2026.
Presidential Pardon Grants Freedom to 150 Detainees
Justice Minister Ndolenodji Alixe Naïmbaye personally supervised the mass release at Klessoum Prison, marking the enforcement of President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno’s clemency decree. The ceremony, held on September 16, 2026, brought together judicial, security, and civil society leaders to witness the historic event.
Legal Framework and Humanitarian Justification
The decree applies exclusively to inmates serving finalized common-law custodial sentences whose remaining terms were fully absolved under the new provisions. Minister Naïmbaye emphasized the decree’s dual purpose: reducing prison overcrowding while upholding constitutional principles of equitable justice. “Every citizen deserves fair, accessible justice,” she stated, quoting the president’s commitment to compassionate governance.
Key Implications of the Clemency Decree
- Eliminates remaining prison terms for 150 qualified detainees
- Preserves victims’ rights to restitution and civil claims
- Affirms government’s focus on penal reform and institution-building
Ceremony Highlights and Next Steps
Released inmates received formal discharge certificates, culminating in an emotional group photograph. The minister confirmed ongoing collaboration with international partners to modernize Chad’s judicial infrastructure and sustain humane detention standards.
