On 30 March 2026, the President of Angola issued a sweeping presidential pardon affecting 307 prisoners, as part of a broader clemency initiative aimed at promoting social reintegration and national harmony.
According to the official decree published by the state news agency, the pardons cover inmates convicted of various offences, reflecting the executive’s discretionary authority to grant clemency under Angola’s legal framework.
The move underscores the government’s commitment to rehabilitation and societal reintegration for eligible offenders, particularly those who have demonstrated good behaviour and pose minimal risk to public safety.
This latest act of clemency builds on previous presidential pardons in Angola. In late 2024, President João Lourenço granted pardons to 51 prisoners, including high-profile figures, as part of national celebrations and clemency measures, a gesture intended to foster reconciliation and social cohesion.
The 2026 pardon is expected to lead to the release of hundreds of inmates who meet the criteria set out in the presidential decree, with authorities emphasizing the importance of support structures to facilitate their reintegration into communities.