Soldiers reportedly attempt to advance on presidential palace as authorities say military is “gradually regaining control” of Niamey……
Heavy gunfire and explosions rocked Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Saturday as members of the presidential guard clashed with elements of the armed forces in an apparent mutiny attempt.
The confrontation followed hours of gunfire around parts of the city, raising fresh concerns over stability in the West African country, which has been under military rule since the July 2023 coup that brought General Abdourahamane Tiani to power.
A security source told journalists that members of the armed forces had attempted to gain access to the presidential palace but were repelled by the presidential guard.
“There was an attempt by insurgents from the Nigerien armed forces to enter the presidential palace,” the source said.
“They were pushed back by the presidential guard. Exchanges of gunfire are continuing at the palace.”
An African diplomat based in Niamey said the presidential guard remained loyal to Tiani as the confrontation unfolded.
The military authorities later said they were “gradually regaining control” after mutineers reportedly took soldiers hostage at a military base close to the capital’s airport.
In a statement read on state television and signed by Defence Minister General Salifou Mody, the authorities appealed for calm, urging residents to continue with their normal activities.
“Remain calm and freely go about your business,” the authorities told the public.
The first reports of gunfire emerged in the early hours of Saturday.
The military subsequently issued a message on social media urging residents to remain calm and refrain from circulating information that had not been verified.
“Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland,” the statement said.
Residents described intense exchanges of gunfire around Air Force Base 101, located within the airport complex.
One resident told journalists that he heard “heavy gunfire and explosions” around the base, a description reportedly supported by several other witnesses.
Niger’s national broadcaster, Tele Sahel, also briefly went off air during the unrest. The station was replaced by a black screen on both its satellite broadcast and online platform before transmissions resumed at about 10:00 am local time.
Access to the presidential palace and national television station was reportedly restricted, with soldiers deployed around the sensitive locations.
According to a video posted online by a local journalist, the first shots were heard at about 1:00 am and continued into daylight.
Another resident said he heard fresh bursts of gunfire around 7:00 am.
“I went to get credit for my phone. I saw a military vehicle heading towards the base that had to turn back,” the resident said.
He added that the intensity and nature of the weapons being fired suggested the confrontation was not a routine response to jihadist attacks.
“The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night,” he said.
Residents in other parts of the capital also reported sporadic small-arms fire during the morning.
Social media posts circulated reports of explosions and shooting, particularly around the administrative district where the presidential palace and national broadcaster are located.
Videos shared online showed armoured vehicles moving into the area around the airport as security forces reinforced their positions.
The unrest comes as Niger continues to battle armed jihadist groups operating across the wider Sahel region.
Niamey airport itself has come under attack twice this year.
In January, fighters from the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) reportedly attacked the airport, while the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the regional Al-Qaeda affiliate, launched another assault in late June.
Both groups have targeted military and civilian interests across Niger while also competing for influence and territory in the Sahel.
Authorities said 20 attackers were killed and four soldiers wounded during the January assault.
Tiani, who has headed Niger’s military government since the 2023 coup, later acknowledged that the attack had exposed “a flaw in the system” that allowed the militants to strike.
He said the attackers had sought to destroy the army’s air capabilities.
The June assault also resulted in significant casualties. Niger’s defence ministry said at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, while 22 attackers were also reported dead.
The security situation extends beyond Niger’s borders, with EIS and JNIM also active in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali.
All three countries are governed by military regimes and have strengthened their political and security ties after distancing themselves from Western partners, particularly France.
Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have also withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and moved closer to Russia as they pursue a different approach to tackling insecurity in the region.
The location of Saturday’s reported clashes adds another layer of significance to the unfolding situation.
Air Force Base 101, situated within the international airport complex, hosts the headquarters of Russia-linked Africa Corps personnel in Niger as well as the command structure of the unified military force of the Alliance of Sahel States.
The alliance brings Niger together with Burkina Faso and Mali.
The military facility is considered strategically sensitive.
Between December and January, it was also used to hold a large shipment of uranium concentrate that had been delayed while awaiting export.
There has been no confirmed movement of the uranium shipment since then.
As authorities work to contain the reported mutiny and establish full control of key military and government installations, the situation in Niamey remains closely watched amid Niger’s already fragile security environment.
