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Mutiny Hits Niamey
Niger’s ruling junta said it was back in control after mutinous soldiers set off armed clashes in Niamey on Saturday, August 29, moving on the presidential palace and disrupting the state broadcaster.
“moving on the presidential palace and disrupting the state broadcaster”
Le Monde reported that by Saturday evening, diplomatic and security sources told Agence France-Presse that members of Niger’s presidential guard helped by Russian forces had recaptured the key Air Force Base 101, killing some of the mutineers.
DW said Niger’s Ministry of National Defense stated that a group of soldiers shot at "sensitive" locations in Niamey in an apparent mutiny, with gunfire and explosions heard across the capital in the early hours of Saturday morning.
DW added that attackers targeted Diori Hamani International Airport, which also houses a military air base, and attempted to breach the presidential palace before the presidential guard pushed them back.
Al Jazeera said Niger’s state television reported that dozens of soldiers were arrested for an attempted coup in the capital, Niamey, after the unrest.
Arrests, Hostages, Denials
DW quoted lawmaker Bana Wagana Ibrahim saying, "Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defense and security forces ensured ... Situation under control," as state broadcaster RTN said dozens of rebelling soldiers were arrested or killed.
The Telegraph reported that defence minister Gen Salifou Mody said officers were taken hostage at Base 101 in a "break with the discipline and military regulations" as the attempted coup began.
Le Monde said Niger’s defense minister, General Salifou Mody, told state television that a group of soldiers held some troops hostage at a barracks in Niamey and opened fire at "certain sensitive sites" in the city.
Al Jazeera said Niger’s state television described the apparent mutiny as a major threat to the country’s ruling military junta.
DW also said the military issued a statement urging the public to "remain calm" and "avoid sharing unverified information."
Base 101 and Stakes
Multiple outlets tied the crisis to Air Base 101 at Niamey International Airport, with Le Monde stating the base is home to the headquarters of Russia’s Africa Corps in Niamey and the command of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
“around 1,000 tonnes of uranium concentrate, known as yellowcake”
Business Insider Africa said Air Base 101 is reportedly holding around 1,000 tonnes of uranium concentrate, known as yellowcake, and described the incident as combining security, political stability and control of a strategically important mineral resource in one location.
DW said the whereabouts of the leader of Niger’s military junta Abdourahamane Tchiani remained unclear, while the military said it was "gradually regaining control" after mutineers took soldiers hostage at a base near the airport in Niamey.
Le Monde reported that the AES confederation said in a statement that it had been the target of "betrayal by a group of soldiers involved in a destabilization plot" that was ultimately "contained and thwarted."
Al Jazeera said Niger’s state television reported dozens of soldiers arrested after the attempted coup, as the unrest was described as a major threat to the country’s ruling military junta.