Niger mutiny sparks overnight gunfire at Niamey military base

Soldiers at a key Niamey air base turned on their officers and opened fire at sensitive sites. The apparent mutiny heaps fresh pressure on Niger's junta as insecurity and economic strain deepen.

In Short

• Gunfire and explosions echoed overnight near Niamey airport and Plateau district
• Defence minister said mutinous soldiers briefly held officers hostage at base
• Authorities said security forces regained control and sealed a main approach road

Soldiers in Niger rebelled against officers at a key military base and opened fire at sensitive locations in the capital, Niamey, in what authorities described as an apparent mutiny. Gunfire and explosions were heard through the night into Saturday, including around the main airport, which houses the military air base known as Base 101, and in the Plateau administrative district, where the presidential palace and key institutions are located.

The incident is the latest challenge for Niger's military junta, which took power in a 2023 coup. Under junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani, the country has cut ties with longtime Western security partners and turned to Russia, while continuing to face attacks by jihadi rebels and worsening economic hardship after aid cuts.

Defence Minister Gen. Salifou Mody said some soldiers took officers hostage at the base and fired at "sensitive sites" in a "break with the discipline and military regulations" before the authorities regained control of the situation. Security forces were deployed around the airport and in the Plateau district, and a major road leading to Niamey was closed.

The base at Diori Hamani International Airport has now been attacked for the third time this year, after two earlier assaults by jihadi rebels. The airport is a strategic hub that hosts a Nigerien air force base as well as the headquarters of the joint Niger-Burkina Faso-Mali military force. State broadcaster RTN stopped its live transmission for a few hours on Saturday morning before resuming broadcasts later.

The ruling military council, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, called for unity in a Facebook post, saying, "Our Defence and Security Forces are mobilised for the Defence of the Fatherland. Let us remain united, vigilant and supportive." Local lawmaker Bana Wagana Ibrahim called the incident a "cowardly attack" and said the situation had been brought under control. The latest attack adds to pressure on Niger's military authorities as they struggle to contain deadly jihadi violence that has hit parts of the Sahel, including neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, which are also under military rule.

With PTI Inputs

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