Manuel Chang, the former Finance Minister of Mozambique, continues to appeal for an early release from a U.S. prison where he is serving an eight and a half year sentence for fraud and money laundering, related to Mozambique's notorious 'hidden debts' scandal. Chang, now 70 years old, argues that his declining health warrants a compassionate release, a position that he has previously presented to the court but has yet to be accepted.

Despite his plea, the U.S. Justice Department's attorneys have dismissed Chang's arguments, stating that he has not exhausted his administrative appeal rights and that his reasons for seeking release do not meet the required standards of being extraordinary or compelling. This rejection highlights the stringent criteria set by the judicial system concerning compassionate release, particularly in high-profile cases like Chang's, which are tied to significant financial fraud that affected the nation's economy.

Chang’s case underlines not only legal issues but also broader implications for Mozambique as the country grapples with the ramifications of the financial scandal. The situation raises questions about governance and accountability in Mozambique, as well as the impact on its international relations and reputation, especially in light of the continuing legal proceedings surrounding the scandal and its key figures.