Niger says it regains control of airbase after soldiers mutiny

Niger's capital Niamey has seen the return of control to a key military airbase following a mutiny by soldiers on Saturday. This incident comes as the country grapples with the ongoing jihadist insurgency. The attack on the airbase, which shares a complex with the civilian airport, was met with explosions and gunfire, affecting both military and civilian infrastructure.

The base houses military aircraft, drones, and a counter-terrorism unit from the Alliance of Sahel States, along with personnel from Russia and Italy. In response to the crisis, Africa Corps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force, requested assistance from Russia to neutralize the mutineers, according to Russian Ambassador Viktor Voropaev.

The airbase had previously been targeted in January and June of this year by regional affiliates of Islamic State and al Qaeda, respectively. The mutiny reportedly involved "hundreds of disgruntled soldiers" who engaged in combat with loyal forces for several hours. Following the assault, the Presidential Guard came to the military leader Abdourahamane Tiani's aid.

However, Tiani has not made any public appearances since the incident. The President's Defense forces have rallied behind Tiani, although he has not been seen in public since Sunday morning. Niger, a country rich in uranium, oil, and gold resources, has been under military rule since a July 2023 coup that removed President Mohamed Bazoum.

Like his counterparts in Burkina Faso and Mali, Tiani has struggled to curb the influence of jihadists. The Islamic State group has carried out several deadly attacks on the military in the southwest of Niger, including one in early June that resulted in the death of 18 soldiers. The mutiny's scale appears to be linked to growing discontent among soldiers in frontline units, presenting another challenge to Tiani beyond the immediate threat of insurgent attacks.

Tiani's government has distanced itself from Western partners, strengthened relations with Russia, and severed ties with the regional ECOWAS bloc. The unrest also follows a tightening of control over the uranium sector, following the seizure of assets from France's Orano, a key supplier of nuclear fuel to Europe.