Khalifa Haftar has freed Nigerien opposition leader Mahamadou Saleh following pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron. Saleh is seen as having vital information on opposition movements in Niger. His release could reshape the regional power landscape, impacting Niger’s military junta, which has faced isolation since a July 2023 coup. Saleh was detained amid clashes in Libya’s Qatrun region, illustrating ongoing tensions in the Sahel.
Khalifa Haftar has released Mahamadou Saleh, a Nigerien opposition leader detained in southern Libya, reportedly after diplomatic pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron. Saleh’s release follows claims by the Italian news agency Nova, suggesting that Rissa Ag Boula, a notable Tuareg leader in Paris, influenced Haftar’s decision. Saleh had previously led an armed group in the Qatrun region for two years and is regarded as a key figure with insights into opposition efforts against the Russian-backed military junta in Niger.
During a meeting in Paris on February 26, Macron advised Haftar not to extradite Saleh to Niger’s ruling military council, which has faced international isolation since the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. Nova indicated that Saleh’s release might alter regional dynamics, potentially bolstering Niger’s opposition while further destabilizing the existing military leadership amid growing international scrutiny.
Saleh’s detention occurred amid violent clashes in Qatrun involving forces aligned with Saddam Haftar, Khalifa’s son, and troops loyal to Hassan Al-Zadama. The tensions escalated when Al-Zadama’s forces resisted disarming for military police, resulting in fights, property destruction, and disruptions to vital trade routes connecting Libya, Niger, and Chad.
The release of Mahamadou Saleh by Khalifa Haftar, influenced by French diplomatic efforts, underscores the complexities of regional politics in the Sahel. As opposition forces in Niger might gain strength from this development, the military junta there faces increasing pressure both domestically and internationally. The ongoing clashes further complicate the situation, impacting the stability and trade in the region.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
