Russia says it helped to repel Niger attempted coup

What the report says

Russia’s foreign ministry said on Sunday that personnel from its African Corps helped Nigerien forces repel an attempted coup in Niamey on Saturday. According to BBC World News, gunfire and explosions were heard early in the morning near a key military airbase and the presidential palace before Niger’s authorities said the unrest had been brought under control.

The BBC reported that the attack targeted Air Base 101, part of the Diori Hamani airport complex, which houses Nigerien aircraft and drones and also hosts an Alliance of Sahel States counter-terrorism unit. Russian and Italian forces are also based there, according to Reuters. The authorities have not said how many soldiers were involved or whether there were casualties. Niger’s state broadcaster showed footage of people said to be mutineers being detained by the Presidential Guard.

Moscow said it would continue to support Niger against “extremists” and described the situation as under the control of the country’s “legitimate authorities” headed by President Gen Abdourahmane Tiani. The Alliance of Sahel States, made up of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, condemned the incident as destabilising. On Sunday, the BBC said commercial activity was resuming in Niamey, while supporters of the government gathered publicly in support of the security forces.

The episode underscores the fragile security environment in Niger, where the military government faces both jihadist violence and signs of tension inside its own ranks. It also reflects the country’s deepening security ties with Russia after cutting back Western partnerships.