Niger Junta Regains Control After Soldiers’ Mutiny

Niger’s military junta said Saturday it had “gradually took back control” after mutinying soldiers attacked key sites around the capital, including the presidential palace, following hours of heavy gunfire that rocked the city.

The defence ministry said in a statement read on state television that a group of soldiers breached military discipline, held some troops hostage at a barracks and opened fire on “certain sensitive sites” in Niamey.

“There was an attempt by insurgents from the Nigerien armed forces to enter the presidential palace,” a security source told AFP, adding that “they were pushed back by the presidential guard.”

Clashes Hit Niamey After Presidential Palace Attack

Soldiers blocked access to the presidential palace and to the national television station, Tele Sahel, which went off the air for just over an hour before being restored around 10:00 am (0900 GMT).

The defence minister, General Salifou Mody, said in the televised statement that “the prompt reaction of the defence and security forces made it possible to contain this heated moment, and they gradually took back control of these sites”.

The heaviest fighting occurred around Air Base 101, located near Diori Hamani International Airport, which is also home to the headquarters of Russia’s Africa Corps in Niamey.

“Heavy gunfire and explosions” were reported at the base, according to residents.

Niger Junta (News Central TV) — Niger Junta. Credit: Niger Junta.

The first shots were heard at about 1:00 am local time and continued until daybreak, according to witnesses and social media videos.

Another resident told AFP he heard “bursts of gunfire” at about 7:00 am, adding that the weapons heard “are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry”.

Gunfire, Explosions Shake Niger’s Capital

Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani that has struggled to contain jihadist violence flaring in the West African country for around a decade.

The airport has been targeted twice this year by jihadist groups: first by the Islamic State in the Sahel in January, then in late June by its rival, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda.

The three Sahel nations—Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali—quit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc, turned their backs on traditional Western partners, especially France, and sought closer ties with Russia.

Author

Jimisayo Opanuga

Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.