Khalifa Haftar released Nigerien opposition leader Mahamadou Saleh after diplomatic pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron. Saleh’s release may impact Niger’s opposition forces and the military junta’s stability. His detention was linked to regional clashes that disrupted trade routes.
Khalifa Haftar has released Nigerien opposition leader Mahamadou Saleh shortly after his arrest in southern Libya. This decision reportedly came following diplomatic pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron. According to Italian news agency Nova, sources in Niger claim that Rissa Ag Boula, a significant Tuareg leader based in Paris, played a critical role in advocating for Saleh’s release, indicating his influence in the Sahel region.
Saleh, who previously led an armed group in Libya’s Qatrun region for two years, is believed to hold essential information regarding opposition activities against Niger’s military junta, which has support from Russia. Libyan sources indicate that during a meeting on February 26, Macron urged Haftar to refrain from extraditing Saleh back to the military council in Niamey, which has faced significant international isolation since seizing power from President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.
Reports suggest that Saleh’s release could alter the regional power balance by potentially empowering Niger’s opposition factions while further destabilizing the Niamey military leadership, which is subject to increasing international scrutiny. Saleh was detained in the context of recent clashes in Qatrun, where forces aligned with Haftar’s son, Saddam Haftar, clashed with those loyal to Hassan Al-Zadama, resulting in violent confrontations and disruptions to essential trading routes connecting Libya, Niger, and Chad.
In summary, the release of Mahamadou Saleh following diplomatic efforts by President Emmanuel Macron marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Niger. Saleh’s potential influence on opposition movements poses challenges to the military junta, embroiled in growing international condemnation. These dynamics reflect the complex interplay of regional power structures amidst ongoing unrest in Libya and Niger.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
