Niger accuses France of inciting military mutiny
Niger’s authorities said that France allegedly incited an attack by mutinous soldiers on a key military airbase in the country. The government’s statement was read on television on Friday, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
Attacks in Niamey
On August 29, mutinous soldiers attacked the airport and the presidential residence in Niamey. This became another threat to the authority of Abdurahman Tiani, who seized power in a 2023 coup.
Explosions and gunfire were also heard at the military airbase. The following day, Niger’s army, supported by Russian paramilitary forces, regained control of the facility.
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Government statement
Niger’s Council of Ministers concluded that the attack had been provoked by a broad network of accomplices, allegedly led by France, according to the authorities. The government said it had collected a substantial body of evidence and reserved the right to appeal to international courts.
The attack exposed tensions within Niger’s armed forces, which had suffered repeated losses in fighting against an extremist insurgency. Earlier this year, Tiani also accused France and other West African states of involvement in unrest in the capital, without providing evidence.
