Niamey back to normal after soldiers' mutiny

Niamey, Niger's capital, resumed normalcy on Sunday following a military mutiny. Intense clashes erupted overnight from Friday to Saturday, with the army and Russian military partners eventually regaining control late in the day. The mutineers attempted to breach the presidential complex, with casualties reported. Television footage captured soldiers laying down their arms.

General Abdourahamane Tiani, who assumed leadership after a coup in July 2023, has steered Niger closer to Russia, distancing it from Western allies, particularly France. By Sunday, access to the airport and presidential compound was restored, and the city's shops and markets reopened. Security measures remained tight, with soldiers conducting searches and deploying armed personnel around key locations.

This marks the third such incident this year, following attacks in January and June by jihadist groups, which were swiftly quelled. Despite the unrest, Niger has been grappling with jihadist violence for over a decade, alongside neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, all of which are under military rule and maintain ties with Russia.

While Niger has distanced itself from Western allies, Italy maintains a small contingent of soldiers for training purposes, emphasizing the importance of stability in the Sahel region for combating trafficking and migration. Neighboring Algeria, seeking better relations, deployed Russian-made patrol planes, while Nigeria expressed deep concern and called for unity to restore stability and constitutional order.

Saudi Arabia pledged solidarity with Niger's government against any attempts to undermine its security.