Key facts
- Niger's government announced it regained control of a key military airbase in Niamey after an attack by mutinous soldiers.
- The attack occurred on Saturday and involved hundreds of disaffected soldiers.
- The airbase is home to military aircraft, drones, and a counter-terrorism unit of the Alliance of Sahel States, with Russian and Italian forces also stationed there.
- Africa Corps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force, was reportedly asked to assist in neutralizing the mutineers.
- The incident underscores internal tensions within Niger's armed forces amid ongoing jihadist insurgencies.
Niger's government announced on Saturday that it had regained control of a crucial military airbase in the capital, Niamey, following an attack by mutinous soldiers. The incident, which involved explosions and gunfire, highlighted internal tensions within the nation's armed forces as they struggle to contain a persistent jihadist insurgency.
The airbase, located within the same complex as the civilian airport, houses military aircraft, drones, and a counter-terrorism unit belonging to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a bloc comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Russian and Italian forces are also stationed at the facility. Viktor Voropaev, the Russian ambassador to Niger, stated that Africa Corps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force, had received a request to assist in neutralizing the mutineers.
Prior to Saturday's assault, the airbase had been targeted twice this year by regional affiliates of the Islamic State and al Qaeda. State media reported that "hundreds of disaffected soldiers" participated in the attack, with loyalist forces fighting for several hours to regain control. The Presidential Guard reportedly rallied to the defense of military leader Abdourahamane Tiani, who had not made a public appearance as of Sunday morning.
Niger, a nation rich in natural resources, has been under military rule since a coup in July 2023 ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Tiani, like his counterparts in Burkina Faso and Mali, has faced significant challenges in combating jihadist groups. Security analysts suggest that frustration within frontline military units over government performance is a growing vulnerability for Tiani's administration.
The unrest occurs as Niger's government tightens control over its uranium sector, seizing assets from France's Orano, a key supplier of nuclear fuel to Europe. Niger accounted for approximately 15% of Orano's uranium supply when operating at full capacity.