Niger junta blames France for failed mutiny

Niger’s military junta announced on Thursday that France was behind a failed mutiny at the Niamey Air Base that began on Sunday, calling the attack “an attempt to destabilise the country.” The mutineers, reportedly around 200 soldiers, seized control of the airbase’s perimeter and fired at French troops stationed there, before being repelled by Nigerien forces. No French soldiers were killed, but two Nigerien soldiers and one mutineer died during the clash.

The incident comes amid a tense period for Niger, which has been ruled by a junta since a blood‑shed coup in July 2023 that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The new leadership, led by President Abdourahamane Tchiani, has faced mounting pressure from the international community, including the United Nations and the African Union, to restore civilian rule. France has maintained a military presence in the Sahel since 2017 under Operation Barkhane, aiming to curb jihadist groups. However, the French forces have been criticised by some Nigerien officers as meddling in internal affairs. The mutiny may have been sparked by grievances over unpaid salaries, alleged French interference in command decisions, and the junta’s refusal to negotiate with opposition groups.

In a statement released by the Nigerien Ministry of Defence, the government said it had arrested 17 suspected mutineers and was conducting a full investigation into the alleged French involvement. The statement also demanded the immediate withdrawal of French troops and called for sanctions against the French government. France’s ambassador to Niger, Jean‑Baptiste Tardieu, denied any role in the mutiny and said the French forces were “fully committed to supporting the legitimate authority of Niger” and to maintaining stability in the region. Meanwhile, the African Union is expected to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, and the United Nations Security Council may consider a resolution condemning the mutiny and urging a return to constitutional order.

If the accusations hold, this could strain diplomatic ties between Niger and France and potentially trigger a withdrawal of French forces from the country. The junta’s next steps will likely involve tightening control over the military and seeking new allies in the region. In the longer term, the incident could accelerate efforts by African and international bodies to pressure the junta to restore democratic governance, while also prompting a reassessment of foreign military involvement in Niger’s internal politics.