Burkina Faso, Mali condemn mutiny in Niger capital

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a bloc comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, has expressed solidarity with Niger after a group of mutinous soldiers staged an attack in the capital, Niamey, on Saturday.

The AES said it felt “betrayed” by the soldiers involved in what it described as a “destabilisation campaign” targeting Air Base 101 and other sensitive sites. The bloc praised “the bravery and professionalism of the loyalist republican forces” who thwarted the apparent mutiny. Heavy gunfire erupted in Niamey shortly after midnight. Mutinous soldiers blocked access to the presidential palace and the national television station, Tele Sahel, which went off air for just over an hour before being restored.

Diplomatic and security sources told journalists that members of Niger’s presidential guard, supported by Russian forces, recaptured Base 101, killing some of the mutineers after hours of heavy fighting.

Niger’s defence minister, General Salifou Mody, later appeared on state television to say that soldiers had held some troops hostage at a barracks in Niamey and opened fire at “certain sensitive sites” in the city. He said security forces had quickly taken back control and urged calm. Base 101, located within the international airport complex, houses the headquarters of Russia’s Africa Corps in Niamey. It is also the command centre for the AES unified force.

The AES called on the people of all three member states to remain vigilant against “disinformation campaigns, manipulation of public opinion, and attempts to sow division”.

The airport and nearby military base were targeted in January, while the airport and Base 101 came under attack again in June. Both attacks were repelled by the army.

SOURCE: AFP