Niger’s former Minister of Petroleum, Mahaman Moustapha Barke, has been released from detention almost a year after his arrest by the country’s military authorities, family members and close associates confirmed on Tuesday.
A relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said Barke regained his freedom earlier in the day. A former aide to the ex-minister separately verified the development, according to Daily Post.
Barke was appointed petroleum minister in 2023 by Niger’s ruling military authorities following the coup that ousted the civilian government only weeks earlier. He was later arrested under circumstances that were never officially explained.
Neither the reasons for his detention nor the conditions of his release have been made public, as the military leadership has not issued any statement on the matter.
Niger’s junta has come under sustained criticism from human rights organisations over alleged repression of political opponents, journalists and other dissenting voices since taking power.
Meanwhile, authorities on Tuesday announced the appointment of Hamadou Tinni as the new Minister of Petroleum. He replaces Sahabi Oumarou, who assumed the role in 2024 following Barke’s removal.