Dozens of soldiers have been arrested in Niamey following an apparent coup attempt that is putting fresh pressure on the Niger’s military government.
Niger’s state television reports that the soldiers are taken into custody after a day of unrest in the capital, with authorities moving to contain what they describe as an attempt to challenge the ruling junta.
The reported mutiny comes after heavy gunfire and explosions are heard in parts of Niamey, including areas around key military and government facilities.
The unrest raises concerns about the stability of Niger’s military government, which has been in power since July 2023, when soldiers removed the country’s democratically elected government.
General Abdourahamane Tiani leads the junta and has remained at the centre of Niger’s political and security affairs since the military takeover.
The latest incident represents a significant challenge for the authorities as they seek to maintain unity within the armed forces and consolidate their control over the country.
Security forces are placed on heightened alert in Niamey as the authorities work to secure sensitive locations and prevent further unrest.
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The government has not yet provided full details about the identities of the soldiers facing arrest or explained the circumstances surrounding their alleged involvement in the attempted coup.
The latest development follows reports of clashes involving mutinous soldiers in the capital, with fighting reported around a military facility close to Niamey’s international airport.
The facility is strategically important to Niger’s security structure and also hosts personnel from Russia’s Africa Corps, reflecting the country’s growing military relationship with Moscow.
The reported coup attempt comes as Niger continues to face serious security challenges from armed groups operating across the wider Sahel region.
Jihadist organizations linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State remain active in parts of Niger, while the military government continues efforts to strengthen security cooperation with neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali.
The three countries are also members of the Alliance of Sahel States, a regional grouping formed by military-led governments following their respective coups.
Since taking power, Niger’s junta has distanced itself from several traditional Western partners and strengthened relations with Russia.
The latest unrest could therefore have wider implications for Niger’s internal political stability and its military partnerships.
Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the alleged coup attempt and determine the extent of involvement of the soldiers facing arrest.
The government is also expected to provide further details on the security situation as investigations progress.
For now, security forces remain on alert across Niamey as the junta works to restore stability and prevent further attempts to challenge its authority.
The reported arrests underline the growing importance of maintaining cohesion within Niger’s military as the government confronts both internal political pressures and persistent security threats across the country.
Al Jazeera
