Niger Army Foils Attempted Mutiny

Niger’s military regained control yesterday after a mutiny in Niamey, the third major instance of unrest at the capital’s airport complex this year, authorities in Niamey said.

A group of soldiers  rebelled against officers at a key military base and fired at “sensitive sites” in the capital, Niamey, in an apparent collective mutiny, authorities said.

Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard overnight into Saturday in the city, including at the main airport that houses the military airbase, known as Base 101, and in the Plateau administrative district, where the presidential palace and key institutions are located.

By late morning, Niger’s Ministry of Defence ⁠said the armed forces were progressively retaking control of sites targeted in the overnight attack, but security sources said mutineers were still present at the airport and the overall situation remained unclear.

The incident marks the third time the city – and specifically the main airport – has experienced major unrest this year, underscoring persistent insecurity under Niger’s military-led government that seized power in a coup in 2023 and pledged to restore order.

Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger’s Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy ⁠in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) parliament, said on Facebook that attackers had targeted Base 101 but that security forces had regained control.

“Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured … Situation under control,” Ibrahim wrote.

Videos online showed armoured vehicles deployed to reinforce the neighbourhood near the airport. Niger’s national television station was also cut off following the overnight gunfire in Niamey, residents told AFP news agency.

State television, after resuming broadcasts, aired a message saying mutinous soldiers from a base in Niamey had opened fire on “sensitive sites” in the city. Security forces had reacted quickly and “contained this disturbance”, it said.