Russia says it helped Niger’s military put down an attempted coup on Saturday morning.
Gunfire and explosions were reported in Niamey before dawn, with fighting at Air Base 101 near Diori Hamani International Airport and near the presidential palace.
By later that day, Nigerien authorities said the rebellion had been contained. On Sunday, Moscow’s foreign ministry said Nigerien forces repelled the attack “with the assistance of servicemen of the African Corps of the Russian Ministry of Defence.” It added that it will keep supporting Niger against “extremists,” and that control now rests with the government of President Gen Abdourahmane Tiani.
The Alliance of Sahel States, made up of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, called it “a betrayal by a group of soldiers involved in an attempt at destabilisation.” Officials have not said how many soldiers took part or how many people were killed or injured. President Tiani has not made a public statement.
State TV aired footage of alleged mutineers being arrested by the Presidential Guard. On Sunday, the Niger Press Agency reported life was returning to normal in Niamey, with shops, petrol stations and other businesses reopening. Supporters also gathered in a central square to back the security forces and Tiani’s government.
Air Base 101 is a key site. It houses Nigerien aircraft and drones, an Alliance counter-terrorism unit, and Russian and Italian forces. The base has been hit twice by jihadists this year, once by an Islamic State affiliate and later by an al-Qaeda affiliate.
Since taking power in a 2023 coup, Gen Tiani’s government has cut ties with Western partners and deepened security cooperation with Russia. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have all done the same, but jihadist violence remains widespread.
Following Saturday’s mutiny, Nigerien authorities said patrols have been increased around sensitive locations in Niamey, including the main airport entrance and the presidential pavilion.
