Key facts
- Niger's government has blamed France for inciting an attack on a military airbase by mutinous soldiers.
- The attack occurred on August 29 and involved explosions and gunfire at the airbase.
- Niger's army, with Russian paramilitary support, regained control of the airbase.
- The government claims to have compiled substantial evidence of French involvement.
- Niger reserves the right to bring the matter before international courts.
Niger's government has accused France of inciting mutinous soldiers to attack a key military airbase last week. The statement, read on TV on Friday, claimed a substantial body of evidence has been compiled regarding the August 29 incident.
Mutinous soldiers had attacked the airport and the presidency in the capital, Niamey, on August 29, posing a threat to the rule of Abdourahamane Tiani, who seized power in a 2023 coup. Explosions and gunfire were reported at a military airbase, but Niger's army, backed by Russian paramilitary forces, regained control the following day.