Khalifa Haftar has released opposition leader Mahamadou Saleh following requests from French President Emmanuel Macron. Saleh’s release may empower Niger’s opposition while further destabilizing its military junta. His earlier detention coincided with clashes in Qatrun, highlighting the ongoing regional instability.
In response to diplomatic pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron, Khalifa Haftar has released Mahamadou Saleh, a prominent opposition leader from Niger, who was detained in southern Libya. Reports from the Italian news agency Nova indicate that Saleh’s release was influenced by Rissa Ag Boula, a well-known Tuareg leader based in Paris, who holds considerable influence in the Sahel region.
Mahamadou Saleh led an armed faction in Libya’s Qatrun region for a duration of two years and is reportedly thought to have vital intelligence regarding movements opposing Niger’s military junta, which reportedly has Russian support. During a meeting with Haftar in Paris on February 26, Macron allegedly warned against the extradition of Saleh to Niger’s ruling military council, which has been suffering from international isolation following the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.
The release of Saleh could significantly alter the regional political landscape, potentially empowering Niger’s opposition forces while further destabilizing the military leadership in Niamey, which is receiving growing international scrutiny. Saleh’s arrest coincided with violent clashes in Qatrun, where forces loyal to Haftar’s son, Saddam Haftar, confronted those under the command of Hassan Al-Zadama. This conflict erupted when Al-Zadama’s forces resisted disarmament, resulting in tumultuous confrontations, destruction of property, and disruptions to essential trade routes connecting Libya, Niger, and Chad.
In summary, Khalifa Haftar’s release of Mahamadou Saleh symbolizes a response to international diplomatic pressures, particularly from France. The development has the potential to reshape the political dynamics in Niger, fostering opposition forces while posing challenges to the current military junta, which remains under global observation. The ongoing altercations in Qatrun further highlight the regional instability tied to these political maneuvers.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
