Niamey: Nigers junta announced it had regained control after mutinous soldiers took hostages at a military base adjacent to the capital's airport. According to France24.com, Russian Africa Corps paramilitary forces assisted members of Nigers presidential guard in reclaiming the air base, resulting in the deaths of some mutineers.
The ruling junta, in power for three years under General Abdourahamane Tiani, faced a crisis when mutineers sparked armed clashes in Niamey, targeting the presidential palace and disrupting the state broadcaster. The junta reported that by Saturday evening, it had mostly regained control following intense exchanges near several key sites.
Diplomatic and security sources confirmed that Russian forces, requested for support, played a crucial role in recapturing the air base. Russia's ambassador to Niger, Viktor Voropaev, verified this assistance in a TASS news agency interview, highlighting Kremlin-controlled paramilitary involvement in neutralizing the mutineers.
The confrontation began shortly after midnight, leading to blockades around the presidential palace and national television station, Tele Sahel, which ceased broadcasting for over an hour before resuming around 10 AM. A statement on state television declared that control was gradually being restored after hours of conflict.
Niger's defense minister, General Salifou Mody, indicated on state television that soldiers had taken hostages at a barracks in Niamey, engaging in gunfire at unspecified sensitive locations in the city. He assured the public that troops swiftly regained control, urging calm among residents.
The unrest in Niger, a country grappling with jihadist violence for a decade, saw gunfire erupt in the early hours, prompting the military to advise against the spread of unverified information. Witnesses reported heavy gunfire and explosions at Base 101, corroborated by several sources.
Supporters of the junta called for demonstrations in support of the authorities. By late afternoon, a crowd gathered at a Niamey square, with military music praising General Tiani playing and preparations for speeches underway. Neighboring Algeria condemned the day's events and pledged support for Niger's government.
The mutiny sheds light on the complex dynamics in Niger, including rival jihadist attacks on Niamey airport earlier this year by Islamic State in the Sahel and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims. These groups, vying for dominance, have also targeted civilians and military personnel in the Sahel region.
The strategic Air Force Base 101, within Niamey's international airport complex, hosts the headquarters of Russia's Africa Corps and the unified force command of the Alliance of Sahel States, which includes Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. The site previously held a significant uranium shipment, now stalled pending export.
The incident underscores Niger's shift from traditional Western allies like France towards closer ties with Russia, as the country navigates its ongoing challenges with jihadist violence and geopolitical alliances.