Chad implements mass prisoner releases amid judicial strike

Chad has implemented a collective sentence reduction following Decree No. 2151/PR/2026. Justice Minister Ndolenldji Alixe Naïmbaye presided over ceremonies marking the release of 617 prisoners. In total, 4,815 convicts are benefiting from reduced sentences. At the Klessoum detention center, 150 inmates were released immediately while 697 others saw their terms shortened.

Simultaneously, the judicial system faces disruption as the National Union of Court Clerks (SYNAPGREF) launched a one-week strike from September 17 to September 23, 2026. The union is demanding a revaluation of clerk indemnities and the establishment of an annual performance bonus. The strike has seen partial compliance, with some courts in N'Djamena continuing operations while others face delays in establishing audience roles and managing legal documentation.