The Niger country director for the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) was arrested on October 31, according to a Radio France International (RFI) report. The BCEAO announced its official, Maman Laouali Abdou Rafa, was released on November 4.

The central bank did not comment on why Abdou Rafa was arrested, nor about what prompted his release.

Abdou Rafa has been country director in Niger since February 2022. He was previously a senior civil servant in Niger’s finance ministry