Niger’s former Minister of Petroleum, Mahaman Moustapha Barke, has been released from detention almost a year after he was arrested by the country’s military authorities, according to members of his family and a close associate.

A relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, confirmed that Barke regained his freedom on Tuesday.

A former aide to the ex-minister also verified that the release took place earlier in the day.

Barke was appointed oil minister in 2023 by the ruling military government that took control of Niger following a coup d’état only weeks earlier.

He was later arrested under circumstances that were never officially explained.

Neither the grounds for his detention nor the terms surrounding his release have been disclosed, as the military leadership has remained silent on the matter.

Niger’s junta has faced persistent criticism from rights groups over alleged repression of political opponents, journalists and dissenting voices.

Meanwhile, the authorities announced on Tuesday the appointment of Hamadou Tinni as the new Minister of Petroleum.

He replaced Sahabi Oumarou, who assumed the role in 2024 following Barke’s removal.