Dozens of soldiers killed after mutiny suppressed

Niger’s capital of Niamey appeared calm on Sunday with normalcy restored after an attempted mutiny by young soldiers that threatened the ruling military junta, before they were repelled by loyalist forces aided by Russian troops, reports France24. In what was seen as a major threat to the junta in power since a 2023 coup, the soldiers engaged loyalist forces in sustained gunfire overnight from Friday till late Saturday. Most of the clashes took place at Niamey’s main airport, which houses the military air base, and in a district where the presidential palace is located. The unrest culminated in the arrest or killing of dozens of soldiers who were paraded in front of the cameras live on state television. The fate of the mutineers was not immediately clear and authorities did not disclose any charges against them. On Sunday, military trucks and check points were seen across the city, particularly along major roads between the airport and the presidential district. Junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani was yet to make any public comment or appearance.

Niger’s Defence Ministry said its forces were gradually regaining control of the situation after a group of soldiers took their ‘comrades’ hostage at the air base and fired at ‘sensitive’ sites, without specifying cause of the unrest. The chaos persisted for hours late into Saturday as the presidential guard and other loyalist forces secured the air base and the presidency, analysts and diplomats said, according to France24. Some of the mutineers came from hot spots in the south and west, among the areas worst-hit by jihadi violence, and were rallying support from others stationed outside the city, according to one European diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The unrest appeared to have been triggered by grievances over rising insecurity, including rampant jihadi attacks that have led to the mass killing of soldiers in the last year. Algeria, the first country on Saturday to express support for Niger, its southeastern neighbour, assured it of its ‘full solidarity and firm support’. Turkey, another key ally of Niger, expressed solidarity with the country and its people, called for ‘restraint’ for the preservation of the country’s security and stability.

Full France24 report