Calm returns to Niger’s capital one day after failed army mutiny
Life in Niamey returned to normal on Sunday, a day after Niger’s military authorities suppressed a mutiny involving soldiers.
Heavy fighting erupted in the early hours of Saturday, resulting in the detention of dozens of soldiers. Several others were killed while attempting to seize the presidential palace.
The mutineers were reportedly frustrated by the government’s inability to contain militant violence across the country.
Saturday’s incident marked the third outbreak of fighting in Niger’s capital this year. However, the two previous incidents involved jihadists attacking a major military base located within the airport.
“As soon as there’s a mutiny, it means that things aren’t going well,” Niamey resident Hassane Assoumane said on Sunday.
“It means that perhaps the soldiers have something they want to demand, and now it is up to the authorities to find a solution — whether they reach an agreement with the mutineers or take another course of action. That decision is theirs.”
Niger’s leader, General Abdourahmane Tiani, seized power in a coup three years ago, pledging to improve security in the country.
However, his government has struggled to stem attacks by armed groups linked to the so-called Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.
Since taking power, Tiani has severed Niger’s ties with its former colonial ruler, France, while strengthening relations with other partners, including Iran, Turkey and Russia.
Russia’s paramilitary Africa Corps was reportedly involved in efforts to repel Saturday’s mutiny.
