Dissident soldiers from Niger’s armed forces attempted to invade the presidential palace, in Niamey, the country’s capital, in a riot in the early hours of Saturday (29). The attack triggered intense firefights and explosions in the central region and around Air Base 101, next to the international airport, but the insurgents were repelled by the Presidential Guard, which remains loyal to the military government.
According to information from the AFP news agency, the rebel military tried to force entry into the presidential headquarters, starting exchanges of fire that lasted until early in the morning. A diplomat from the African country confirmed that the palace guard remained faithful to General Abdourahamane Tiani, leader of the junta that governs the country.
During the uprising, insurgents took soldiers hostage at Air Base 101, which is next to Diori Hamani International Airport. Residents of the capital reported to the AFP agency that they had heard heavy weapons shooting and loud explosions coming from the military area since 1 am local time.
In an official statement released on national television and signed by the Minister of Defense, General Salifou Mody, local authorities reported that the army is gradually regaining control of the situation. The document asks the population to remain calm and “avoid sharing unverified information”.
Broadcasts from public broadcaster Tele Sahel went off air for just over an hour in the morning, showing a black screen both via satellite and online. Soldiers from the military junta established roadblocks on the access roads to the presidential palace and the public television building, preventing the movement of drivers and pedestrians in the administrative region.
The parliamentarian of the Advisory Council of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Bana Wagana Ibrahim, published on social media that Base 101 suffered a “cowardly attack”, but said that the situation was contained by rapid military mobilization.
Air Base 101 is a highly strategic installation for Niger, housing the headquarters of the Russian Africa Corps group, the general staff of the unified AES force, and a stockpile of concentrated uranium awaiting export. This is the third attack suffered by the Niamey airport complex this year, following attacks by jihadist groups rivaling the official government in January and June.
Niger has been led by a military junta since July 2023, when a coup d’état deposed elected president Mohamed Bazoum, who remains in military custody. Under the command of Abdourahamane Tiani, the Nigerian government moved away from former Western security partners and sought support from Russia, joining forces with the neighboring governments of Mali and Burkina Faso.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
