Niger's military council says it is regaining control after mutiny in Niamey
Gunfire erupted across Niamey on Saturday as soldiers mutinied, but the ruling council says the security forces have re‑established order.
A coordinated assault by mutinous troops hit several "sensitive sites" in Niamey early on Saturday, including the international airport, the presidential palace and nearby government buildings. The attack, which lasted several hours, was carried out by soldiers from a base in the capital, according to the defence ministry.
What unfolded in Niamey
The assault began with sustained gunfire and explosions near the airport and the presidential compound. A source familiar with the security situation said the presidential guard continued to fend off the attackers at the palace. General Salifou Mody, Niger’s defence minister, read a statement on national television urging citizens to remain calm and go about their business. The ruling junta, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, posted on Facebook that the army had been deployed to protect the fatherland.
Our Defence and Security Forces are mobilized for the Defence of the Fatherland. Let us remain united, vigilant and supportive.
National television was briefly taken off‑air but resumed by late morning on the state‑run channel. By the afternoon, officials said the mutineers had been pushed back and control of the airport and the palace restored.
Why the unrest matters
The mutiny challenges the authority of President Abdourahamane Tiani, who seized power in a 2023 coup and promised to improve security in the Sahel. Niger already faces threats from al‑Qaeda‑linked groups and the Islamic State, which have previously struck the civilian airport and the military airbase known as Base 101. That base houses the headquarters of the Russian Africa Corps and the command centre for the AES joint force, making it a strategic asset for both domestic and foreign partners.
What comes next
Security forces say they will continue to sweep the city for remaining dissidents and tighten control over key installations. The junta is likely to use the episode to justify further militarisation of public spaces and may seek additional foreign assistance to secure the airport and the uranium shipment that has been stalled since early 2024. Observers will watch for any shift in the balance of power within the military council and for reactions from regional partners such as Burkina Faso and Mali.
International donors and investors will be monitoring Niger’s stability closely, given its role in the global uranium market and its participation in regional security initiatives.
