Libya Releases Leader of Group Opposed to Niger’s Government

An armed group opposed to Niger’s ruling military council has announced the release of its leader, who had been detained in Libya for a year and a half.

The National Liberation Front, loyal to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, announced the release of its leader, who had been arrested in Libya in February 2025, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The National Liberation Front was established one month after the military coup of July 2023 that overthrew Bazoum, the country’s democratically elected president.

Bazoum has been held with his wife in a wing of the presidential palace in Niamey since the military council seized power.

In February 2025, the Front’s leader, Mahmoud Salah, was arrested in the Libyan city of Al-Qatrun during a raid conducted by the Libyan National Army.

However, the Front later announced Salah’s release in a statement published on social media.

The group also expressed its gratitude to Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of the Libyan army and son of Khalifa Haftar.

The Front noted that fourteen of its fighters remain in detention and called for their release.

Niger and Libya share a 342-kilometre border, an area where groups opposed to Niger’s military authorities remain active.

The Front has repeatedly claimed responsibility for attacks against the Nigerien army in the north of the country, as well as acts of sabotage targeting a crude oil pipeline extending to Benin.