The military regime in power in Niger claims to have gradually regained control of several sensitive sites in Niamey following a mutiny attempt that led to exchanges of gunfire overnight and Saturday morning, particularly near the international airport and the presidential palace. “The prompt reaction of the defense and security forces made it possible to contain this mood swing and gradually regain control of these sites,” said Defense Minister General Salifou Mody in a statement read on public television on Saturday.
According to the minister, a group of soldiers “in breach of military regulations” had attempted to hold some of their comrades hostage at the Base 101 barracks, located in the Niamey airport complex, before opening fire on several sites in the capital. General Salifou Mody called on the population to “remain calm and go about their business freely.”
Residents reported heavy gunfire and explosions around the military base starting around 1:00 AM from Friday to Saturday. The shooting continued into the morning, according to several locals. “Everything has returned to calm, we no longer hear gunfire,” said a resident of the Yantala neighborhood, located near the presidential palace, late in the morning.
Access to the presidency and national television was also blocked by soldiers, who forced motorists to turn back, according to Niamey residents. The public television signal was interrupted for just over an hour before resuming around 10:00 AM.
A security source based in West Africa indicated to AFP that an attempted intrusion into the presidential palace by soldiers had been repelled by the presidential guard. An African diplomat in Niamey estimated that the presidential guard had remained loyal to the junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
Base 101, adjacent to Niamey International Airport, is a strategic site. It notably houses the headquarters of Niger’s Russian partners, Africa Corps, as well as the staff of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), formed by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The site had also received a large shipment of uranium concentrate between December and January, which was intended for export. No movement of this cargo has been identified since, according to AFP.
This mutiny attempt comes as Niamey had already been the scene of two attacks against the airport this year. In January, jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State targeted the site. In late June, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), affiliated with Al-Qaeda, claimed a new attack. The latter resulted in 11 deaths among soldiers and two among civilians.
Niger has been led by General Abdourahamane Tiani since the July 2023 coup against President Mohamed Bazoum. The latter remains detained by military authorities. Since coming to power, the Nigerien junta has broken with France, a former major partner in the fight against jihadist groups, and strengthened its relations with Russia.
Niger, like Mali and Burkina Faso, continues to face regular jihadist attacks, particularly in the Tillabéri region, on the borders with these two countries. The three states, led by military regimes, have formed the Alliance of Sahel States and have gradually moved away from their former Western partners. Niamey regularly accuses France of supporting the jihadist groups operating in the region, which Paris denies.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-29 18:23:47 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://2424.mg/sahel-le-regime-militaire-du-niger-affirme-reprendre-le-controle-apres-une-mutinerie-a-niamey/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sahel-le-regime-militaire-du-niger-affirme-reprendre-le-controle-apres-une-mutinerie-a-niamey