Niger’s military authorities have arrested dozens of soldiers following an attempted mutiny in the capital, Niamey, as the government moves to consolidate control over the armed forces after nearly 24 hours of unrest. Fighting broke out early Saturday around key military and government sites, including Base 101 at Diori Hamani International Airport and areas near the presidential palace. Government forces later regained control of the base and other strategic locations.
Africanews reported that dozens of soldiers were arrested or killed during the confrontation. Authorities have not provided a full account of the casualties or identified all those detained.
Security inside the military has become an increasingly sensitive issue for Niger’s junta. Younger soldiers have reportedly expressed frustration over the country’s worsening fight against jihadist groups, despite the government’s repeated promises to improve security since taking power in 2023.
Militant attacks remain a major challenge across western and central Niger, particularly in areas bordering Mali and Burkina Faso. Islamic State and al Qaeda-linked groups remain active despite the junta’s efforts to reorganize the country’s security partnerships.
Russian personnel from the Africa Corps were involved in the government’s response, providing support to Nigerien forces as they moved to retake the airport base, according to Reuters and Africanews. Moscow’s involvement highlights the security relationship that has developed since Niger broke with several Western partners following the 2023 coup. French forces have withdrawn, while Russian military personnel have taken a larger role in supporting the junta.
Niamey is also coordinating more closely with Mali and Burkina Faso through the Alliance of Sahel States. The three countries have rejected ECOWAS pressure and are building their own political and security arrangements outside the regional bloc.
For General Abdourahamane Tiani’s government, the immediate threat appears to have been contained. The arrests, however, point to a more difficult problem inside the military itself: maintaining cohesion among forces that are already under pressure from a prolonged insurgency.
How the authorities handle the detained soldiers could become an important test for the junta as it seeks to maintain control while continuing to rely heavily on the military to confront armed groups across the country.
