Niamey: Life returned to normal in Niger's capital on Sunday, a day after mutineers stormed the presidential palace and a military base at Niamey's main airport, resisting forces loyal to the ruling junta until Russia's Africa Corps intervened. State TV reported that dozens of soldiers were killed or arrested, with some paraded in front of cameras live on television.
According to France24.com, Niger's capital appeared calm with normalcy restored after a day of unrest as young soldiers staged a mutiny that threatened the ruling military junta before being repelled by loyalist forces aided by Russian troops. The soldiers engaged loyalist forces in sustained gunfire overnight from Friday till late Saturday, with most clashes occurring at Niamey's main airport and the district housing the presidential palace.
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 checkpoints were visible across the city, particularly along major roads between the airport and the presidential district. Junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani had yet to make any public comments or appearance.
Witnesses, analysts, and diplomats reported that Nigeriens were awoken around midnight on Friday into Saturday by bursts of gunfire and explosions originating from the Diori Hamani International Airport. The airport, a strategic hub, hosts a key military air base and the headquarters of Russia's Africa Corps. This incident marked the third time this year that the airport experienced unrest. Gunshots were also heard near the presidential palace in the Plateau district as soldiers confronted forces loyal to the junta.
The defence ministry stated that 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. The chaos persisted for hours late into Saturday as the presidential guard and other loyalist forces secured the airbase and the presidency.
Some mutineers came from regions in the south and west, which are significantly impacted by jihadi violence, and were rallying support from soldiers stationed outside the city. The unrest appeared to be triggered by grievances over rising insecurity, including rampant jihadi attacks that have led to the mass killing of soldiers in the last year.
H©ni Nsaibia, senior West Africa analyst at Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, stated that deadly attacks are becoming commonplace and will continue to fuel unrest and aggravate tensions within the army ranks. Jihadi violence has worsened in the wider Sahel region, including in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, where the military also seized power from civilian governments.
The mutineers resisted efforts from loyalist forces until Russia's Africa Corps intervened with ground and aerial support. It is believed that the Africa Corps has between 200 to 300 personnel in Niger, primarily protecting the junta and supporting the fight against jihadis. In interviews broadcast on Russian media, Moscow's ambassador to Niger, Viktor Voropayev, said that Niger had requested support from the Russian force and that the mutineers were neutralized with Africa Corps' intervention.
The regional Alliance of Sahel States, including Burkina Faso and Mali, expressed full support to Niger and condemned the betrayal from the soldiers. Algeria and Turkey also expressed solidarity with Niger, calling for restraint for the preservation of the country's security and stability.