Inside the 24-Hour Mutiny that Threatened Niger’s Ruling Junta and How Russian Forces Intervened
Dozens of mutineers were arrested or killed after loyalist forces and Russia’s Africa Corps retook key sites, officials and analysts said.
- On Sunday, normalcy returned to Niamey, Niger, after loyalist forces repelled a mutiny that began Friday night with sustained gunfire at Diori Hamani International Airport and near the presidential palace.
- Rising insecurity and rampant jihadi attacks triggered soldiers' grievances, with a recent assault in the southern Dosso region killing at least 18 soldiers about a week ago.
- Russia's Africa Corps, maintaining 200 to 300 personnel in Niger, provided ground and aerial support to retake the air base. Moscow's ambassador Viktor Voropayev said mutineers were "neutralized particularly thanks to the intervention."
- The regional Alliance of Sahel States, including Burkina Faso and Mali, issued a statement Saturday expressing "full support" for the junta and condemning the "betrayal" from soldiers. Algeria and Turkey also pledged solidarity.
- Deteriorating insecurity continues to drive instability across the central Sahel, with analysts warning that jihadi violence is "becoming commonplace and will continue to fuel unrest and aggravate tensions within the army ranks.
40 Articles
40 Articles
On Saturday, August 29, the assault on the presidential palace by mutineers was thwarted thanks to the assistance of Russian mercenaries from Africa Corps. This rebellion by a faction of the Nigerien army reveals the fragility of General Tiani's regime.
Russian forces in Africa. The story began with a mutiny in the military, aimed at sensitive targets in Niamey, including the airport and the Air Force base 101
Russian forces in AfricaThe story began with a mutiny in the military, aimed at sensitive targets in Niamey, including the airport and the Air Force base 101.But in the following hours, a significant...
Niger mutiny in Niamey crushed with Russian support as junta regains control
A mutiny by soldiers in Niamey was crushed after loyalist forces, backed by Russian troops, retook key sites. The flare-up exposed deep strains within Niger's junta as insecurity and anger in the ranks keep rising.
Mutinous soldiers tried to take power on Saturday night in the capital city of Niamey. One reason for the displeasure against the military regime could be the loss of the army in the fight against Islamist terrorists.
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world. In 2023, the military pushes to power. Now, in turn, mutiny soldiers attack Presidential Palace. The ruling military junta calls Moscow for help.
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