Niger Junta Regains Control of Key Military Base After Mutiny

Niger’s ruling junta has regained control of a key military base in the capital, Niamey, after mutinous soldiers launched armed clashes at sensitive locations in the city.

 

Diplomatic and security sources said members of the presidential guard, assisted by Russian forces, recaptured Air Force Base 101, with several mutinous soldiers reportedly killed.

 

“The presidential guard has retaken control of the air base with the help of the Russians,” a diplomatic source said.

 

Two security sources also confirmed that the base had been retaken.

 

The development followed clashes that began shortly after midnight on Saturday, when soldiers reportedly blocked access to the presidential palace and the national television station, Tele Sahel, which went off air for more than an hour before resuming transmission.

 

Niger’s defence minister, General Salifou Mody, said a group of soldiers had held some troops hostage at a barracks in Niamey and opened fire at unspecified sensitive locations.

 

He said troops and security forces had moved to restore order and urged residents to remain calm.

 

The junta later announced that it was gradually regaining control of the situation, saying the mutinous soldiers had attempted to enter the presidential palace but were repelled by the presidential guard.

 

The first shots were reportedly heard at about 1:00 a.m. local time and continued until daybreak. Residents also reported heavy gunfire and explosions around Base 101.

 

Videos circulating online showed armoured vehicles deployed around the airport area as security forces moved to contain the mutiny.

 

Air Force Base 101, located within the international airport complex, is a strategic military facility and houses the headquarters of Russia’s Africa Corps in Niamey.

 

The base also serves as the command centre of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

 

By Saturday afternoon, junta supporters had begun gathering in a major Niamey square in support of General Abdourahamane Tiani and his administration.

 

The latest unrest comes as Niger continues to battle jihadist violence, with the Islamic State in the Sahel and the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) operating in the country and neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali.

 

The three Sahel countries are governed by military juntas and have strengthened their military and diplomatic ties with Russia after withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and distancing themselves from traditional Western partners.