Leader of the Patriotic Front for Liberation (FPL), Mahmoud Sallah was recently arrested by the Libyan army, raising concerns about cross-border security in the Sahel.
Sallah was captured on February 23 in southern Libya’s Qatrun region during an operation by the 87th Rapid Intervention Brigade.
While the FPL claims to be fighting for a return to constitutional order in Niger, authorities in both Libya and Niger view the group as an armed militant organization involved in cross-border operations.
The opposition leader has been accused of alleged involvement in kidnappings linked to FPL members and engaging in criminal activities between Libya and Niger.
Additionally, his alleged threats to oil installations, public infrastructure, and foreign companies in Niger’s Agadez region, targeted towards destabilizing General Abdourahamane Tiani government, poses significant security threats in the region.
Sallah has been transferred to Libyan authorities for questioning, with investigations focusing on the FPL’s structure, funding sources, and potential ties to other armed groups in the region.
