In the latest turmoil to hit Niger in West Africa, the military-led government says it has contained a mutiny in the capital, Niamey, after hours of gunfire and explosions near key military and government sites. A military base at Diori Hamani International Airport was first targeted on Saturday by renegade soldiers, followed by attacks on the state broadcaster and presidential palace. State TV said security forces gradually regained control, while dozens of rebel soldiers were reportedly killed or arrested.
The mutiny is another blow to Niger’s military leadership, which has failed to bring stability to the country since it took over in a coup three years ago. Since then, the military ruler and President General Abdourahamane Tchiani has pivoted the country away from the West, including its former colonial ruler, France. He has forged close security ties with Russia in efforts to tackle the growing threat from armed groups, but that has not deterred fighters linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) from mounting attacks.
So what happened, who was behind the mutiny and what does it mean for Niger’s military government? The attacks started shortly after midnight on Saturday at Base 101, a major military facility inside Niamey’s international airport complex previously used by US forces. General Salifou Mody, Niger’s defence minister, said a group of soldiers detained some of their comrades and opened fire at “certain sensitive sites” in the capital.
The fighting lasted for several hours, during which the state broadcaster was temporarily taken off air, while gunfire and explosions were reported around the airport and presidential palace. Authorities said security forces responded quickly and helped regain control. The ruling military council, known as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, urged people to remain calm.
Let us remain united, vigilant and supportive,” it said. By late Saturday, military authorities and state TV said the mutiny had been contained. Dozens of soldiers had been killed or arrested.
Africa Corps, the Kremlin-backed force, received a request for assistance in neutralising the mutineers in the capital, said Viktor Voropaev, the Russian ambassador to Niger, in an interview with TASS news agency on Saturday. Africa Corps is a Russian state-controlled paramilitary organisation established by the Russian Ministry of Defence, replacing and absorbing the African operations of the privately -run Russian militia, the Wagner Group. The whereabouts of military leader Tchiani have not been confirmed.
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