Niger’s former Minister of Petroleum, Mahaman Moustapha Barke, has been launched from detention nearly a 12 months after he was arrested by the nation’s navy authorities, in keeping with members of his household and a detailed affiliate.
A relative, who spoke on situation of anonymity for safety causes, confirmed that Barke regained his freedom on Tuesday.
A former aide to the ex-minister additionally verified that the discharge passed off earlier within the day.
Barke was appointed oil minister in 2023 by the ruling navy authorities that took management of Niger following a coup d’état solely weeks earlier.
He was later arrested below circumstances that have been by no means formally defined.
Neither the grounds for his detention nor the phrases surrounding his launch have been disclosed, because the navy management has remained silent on the matter.
Niger’s junta has confronted persistent criticism from rights teams over alleged repression of political opponents, journalists and dissenting voices.
In the meantime, the authorities introduced on Tuesday the appointment of Hamadou Tinni as the brand new Minister of Petroleum.
He changed Sahabi Oumarou, who assumed the position in 2024 following Barke’s removing.
