Handcuffed man behind bars. (Photo: Courtesy).

President Salva Kiir has ordered the release of 22 inmates jailed across the country for debts and minor crimes as a gesture of forgiveness, in his New Year address.

Occasionally at the end of the year, the president and sometimes state governors order the release of inmates in a show of compassion and to decongest overcrowded prison facilities.

During the Christmas celebrations, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State government released 79 inmates from Aweil Central Prison after their debts of 4.4 million South Sudan pounds were cleared by the office of the governor.

Meanwhile, Kiir stressed that the country continues to face immense and overwhelming challenges. He commended the resilience of civil servants and organized forces for working under difficult condition without salaries to protect the country.

President Kiir said the transitional government must do its best to change course this year and ensure that citizens cope with the situation.

In December 2023, President Kiir also granted pardons to twenty inmates from government prisons as part of end-of-year celebrations.