Niger’s capital, Niamey, has been thrown into fresh turmoil after mutinous soldiers launched an apparent attempt to overthrow the military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
The soldiers reportedly targeted strategic locations, including the international airport, a military base and areas around the presidential palace.
Heavy gunfire and fighting were reported in parts of the capital as security forces loyal to the junta moved to regain control.
Niger has been under military rule since July 2023, when Tchiani and other senior officers overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
Unlike the 2023 takeover, Saturday’s uprising appears to be an internal military revolt against the existing junta.
The identities of the soldiers behind the operation and whoever may be seeking to replace Tchiani have not been officially disclosed.
Some military officers were reportedly taken hostage during the unrest, while Tchiani’s whereabouts were initially unclear.
The attempted takeover comes amid growing pressure on the junta over Niger’s worsening security situation.
Jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda remain active in several parts of the country, particularly along the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso.
The military seized power partly on promises to improve security and defeat insurgents. However, persistent militant attacks have continued to put pressure on the junta.
The latest revolt may reflect growing frustration among some soldiers over casualties and the government’s handling of the insurgency.
Internal divisions within the military could also be fueling the crisis.
The 2023 coup brought various security factions together against Bazoum, but rivalries over power, strategy and the direction of the country may have since emerged.
Tchiani has also significantly changed Niger’s foreign policy, reducing military cooperation with France and other Western powers while deepening relations with Russia, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have also withdrawn from ECOWAS and strengthened their alliance under military-led governments.
For now, there is no confirmed evidence identifying a particular general or political figure as the mastermind of Saturday’s attempted takeover.
The immediate battle is whether Tchiani’s junta can fully restore control of Niamey and prevent the revolt from spreading.
If the crisis escalates, it could deepen divisions within Niger’s armed forces and further weaken the country’s fight against jihadist groups across the troubled Sahel region.
