A Nigerien armed group loyal to former President Mohamed Bazoum announced on Monday the release of its leader, Mahmoud Salah, who had been detained in Libya since February 2025.

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

Bazoum and his wife have remained detained in a wing of the presidential palace in Niamey since the military seized power.

Mahmoud Salah was arrested in late February 2025 in the Libyan town of Al-Qatrun during an operation conducted by the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar, who controls much of eastern and southern Libya bordering Niger.

In a statement posted on social media, the group announced Salah’s release and thanked Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of Libyan forces and son of Khalifa Haftar.

The group also noted that 14 of its fighters remain in detention and called for their release.

The development comes after Saddam Haftar visited Niamey in May 2025, where he met military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani.