Family members and close acquaintances reported on Tuesday that Mahaman Moustapha Barke, the former minister of petroleum for Niger, had been freed from custody nearly a year after being detained by the nation’s military rulers.
Barke was freed earlier in the day, according to a relative who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. The Daily Post reports that the development was independently confirmed by the former minister’s assistant.
In 2023, Barke was named petroleum minister by Niger’s ruling military rulers after the civilian government was overthrown in a coup just weeks before. Later on, he was taken into custody for reasons that were never formally addressed.
The military command has not released a statement regarding his detention or the terms of his release.
Human rights organizations have long criticized Niger’s junta for allegedly suppressing journalists, political rivals, and other dissident voices since seizing control.
Hamadou Tinni was named the new Minister of Petroleum, according to a Tuesday announcement from the government. He takes over for Sahabi Oumarou, who took up the position in 2024 after Barke was fired.
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