Khalifa Haftar released Nigerien opposition leader Mahamadou Saleh following pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron. Rissa Ag Boula’s influence is noted in Saleh’s release amidst his vital intelligence on Niger’s military junta. The release may impact regional dynamics as Niger’s junta faces scrutiny after the July coup.
Khalifa Haftar has liberated Nigerien opposition leader Mahamadou Saleh, following his recent arrest in southern Libya. This release reportedly came as a result of diplomatic pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing France’s influence in the region.
According to the Italian news agency Nova, Nigerien sources suggest that Rissa Ag Boula, a significant Tuareg leader based in Paris, played a critical role in advocating for Saleh’s release, indicating the powerful alliances within the Sahel region.
Mahamadou Saleh, who commanded an armed faction in Libya’s Qatrun region for two years, is believed to possess vital intelligence regarding opposition movements against the military junta in Niger, supported by Russian interests.
Sources indicate that Macron advised Haftar during a meeting in Paris on February 26 to refrain from extraditing Saleh to Niger’s military council, which has been isolated internationally since the coup in July 2023 that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
Saleh’s release could potentially alter the balance of power in the Sahel, empowering Niger’s opposition and further destabilizing the military leadership in Niamey, which is currently facing increased international scrutiny.
Saleh’s arrest coincided with violent clashes in Qatrun between forces loyal to Haftar’s son, Saddam Haftar, and rival factions led by Hassan Al-Zadama, stemming from a dispute over disarmament that resulted in significant turmoil and disruption to vital trade routes linking Libya, Niger, and Chad.
The release of Mahamadou Saleh is indicative of the intricate political dynamics within the Sahel region, highlighting the influence of international diplomacy, particularly from France. As this situation unfolds, it may contribute to a shifting power balance and increased opposition to Niger’s ruling military junta amidst ongoing international scrutiny.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
