Niger's Military Council Announces Restoration of Control After Rebel Attack
The ruling military council in Niger announced the “gradual restoration of control” over the situation following clashes between rebels and the Republican Guard at the presidential palace in Niamey.
In a statement signed by Defense Minister General Salifou Modi and broadcast on state television, authorities reported that “a group of soldiers defying military regulations detained some of their comrades at Base 101 in Niamey and fired upon several sensitive sites in the city.”
The statement added that “the rapid response of the defense forces and security agencies allowed for the containment of this rebellion and the gradual restoration of control over these sites.”
A resident of the Yantala neighborhood, near the presidential palace, told Agence France-Presse (AFP), “Calm has returned, and we no longer hear gunfire.”
Earlier, a West African security source told AFP that “a group of rebels from the ranks of the Nigerien armed forces attempted to enter the presidential palace.”
An African diplomat in Niamey confirmed that “it is clear that the guard remains loyal for the time being” to the head of the military council, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
General Tiani has led Niger since the coup in July 2023, during which he detained ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains in custody.
Nigerien MP Ibrahim Bana, writing on Facebook regarding the “Sahel States Alliance” parliamentary alliance, stated that “the situation is under the complete control of the presidential guard.”
State television broadcasting was cut off for more than a day yesterday before resuming later.
Heavy gunfire was heard throughout the night of Friday in several neighborhoods of the capital, particularly around the presidential palace and the international airport.
Soldiers blocked roads leading to the presidential palace and the state television headquarters, forcing vehicles to turn back, according to residents of the capital.
Calm prevailed in areas surrounding the main market, which usually sees heavy traffic.
Residents told AFP that “heavy gunfire and explosions” erupted at Base 101 in Niamey around 1:00 a.m. local time on Friday.
One resident, speaking to AFP by phone, reported hearing “machine gun fire” until Saturday morning.
He said, “I went to buy a recharge voucher for my phone, saw a military vehicle heading toward the base, and had to turn back. The weapons we are hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorcycles could carry. The fighting has been continuous without pause since last night.”
