Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam,has granted a presidential pardon to 31 inmates convicted of minor offenses ahead of the Eid al-Adha celebrations, in a move authorities say is aimed at promoting compassion, reconciliation, and community unity during the religious holiday.
According to officials from the Jubaland State administration, the prisoners were released after the president exercised his constitutional powers to pardon inmates serving sentences for lesser crimes. Some of the detainees had reportedly remained in prison over unpaid debts and financial disputes.
Sources close to the presidency said President Ahmed Madobe personally covered some of the outstanding debts owed by several prisoners to facilitate their release, allowing them to reunite with their families and celebrate Eid alongside the wider community.
The decision comes as Muslims across Somalia and around the world prepare to mark Eid al-Adha, one of the holiest celebrations in Islam.
Presidential pardons during major Islamic holidays have become a common practice in Somalia and other Muslim-majority countries, where leaders often release prisoners convicted of non-serious offenses as part of broader efforts to encourage forgiveness and social reintegration.
Officials in Jubaland said the pardons were also intended to ease pressure on overcrowded prisons and offer inmates a second chance to rebuild their lives after serving part of their sentences.
Families of the released prisoners reportedly gathered outside detention centers to welcome relatives freed under the amnesty order, with many expressing gratitude to the Jubaland administration for allowing their loved ones to return home during the holiday period.
The pardon comes as Somalia continues to face challenges within its justice and prison systems, including overcrowding, prolonged detentions, and limited rehabilitation programs, with human rights groups urging authorities to improve prison conditions and strengthen legal protections for inmates.
President Ahmed Madobe has previously issued similar pardons during religious occasions as part of efforts to promote unity, reconciliation, and social stability across Jubaland.
