In brief
Russia publicly asserted that its African Corps assisted Niger’s military in quelling a Saturday coup attempt in the capital Niamey. Explosions and gunfire erupted near the presidential palace and a key military airbase early that morning. Niger’s authorities later reported the mutiny was contained, citing Russian support. The foreign ministry added it would continue backing Niger against “extremists.” The incident underscores internal tensions within Niger’s armed forces, already strained by ongoing insurgent attacks.
Security officer stands guard on the street following the attempted coup.
Russia has said its forces helped to repel Saturday’s attempted coup in Niger.
Explosions and gunfire rang out across Niamey, the capital, early in the morning, including at the presidential palace and a key military airbase.
Hours later, Niger’s authorities declared the rebellion contained.
Nigerien forces repelled the attack “with the assistance of servicemen of the African Corps of the Russian Ministry of Defence,” the foreign ministry in Moscow said on Sunday.
The ministry added it would continue to support Niger against “extremists,” but that the situation was now under the control of the legitimate authorities led by President Geneviève Tiani.
Russia’s African Corps has become a security partner for several military governments in the Sahel fighting persistent jihadist insurgencies.
The Alliance of Sahel States—comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—labelled the mutiny a betrayal by soldiers seeking to destabilise the regime.
The full details on the number of rebels or casualties remain unclear, but the incident highlights internal friction within Niger’s military.
Air Base 101, the site attacked, houses Nigerian military aircraft, drones, and an Alliance counter‑terrorism unit, with Russian and Italian forces also stationed there.
Despite shifting alliances toward Russia, jihadist violence remains widespread across the Sahel’s military‑ruled countries.
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