Gunfire rocks Niamey as Niger Republic soldiers clash with presidential guards

A fresh security crisis erupted in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Saturday after soldiers reportedly attempted to gain access to the presidential palace, triggering a confrontation with members of the presidential guard.

The incident followed hours of gunfire and explosions around parts of the capital, raising concerns of another challenge to the military authorities that have governed the West African country since the 2023 coup.

“There was an attempt by insurgents from the Nigerien armed forces to enter the presidential palace,” a security source told AFP.

“They were pushed back by the presidential guard. Exchanges of gunfire are continuing at the palace.”

An African diplomat based in Niamey said the presidential guard remained loyal, at least for the time being, to the country’s military ruler, General Abdourahamane Tiani.

Meanwhile, the military authorities said they were “gradually regaining control” after soldiers were reportedly taken hostage by mutineers at a military facility near the capital’s airport.

In a statement broadcast on public television and signed by Defence Minister General Salifou Mody, the authorities urged citizens to “remain calm and freely go about their business”.

The unrest began in the early hours of Saturday, with the military earlier appealing to residents through social media to remain calm and “avoid sharing unverified information”.

“Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland,” the statement said.

A resident who spoke to AFP described the situation at Air Force Base 101 in Niamey as involving “heavy gunfire and explosions”. Other witnesses reportedly corroborated the account.

Niger’s national broadcaster, Tele Sahel, was also temporarily taken off air for more than an hour. Its normal programming was replaced by a black screen on both satellite television and its online platform before transmission resumed at about 10:00 am local time.

Residents said soldiers subsequently restricted movement around the presidential palace and the national television station.

According to a local journalist who posted a video from the area around the airport, the first sounds of gunfire were heard at approximately 1:00 am and continued through the night until daybreak.

Another resident reported hearing “bursts of gunfire” around 7:00 am.

“I went to get credit for my phone. I saw a military vehicle heading towards the base that had to turn back,” he added.

“The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night.”

A resident in another part of western Niamey also reported sporadic small-arms fire around 5:00 am.

Reports of explosions and shooting circulated widely on social media, particularly from the administrative district housing the presidential palace and national broadcaster.

Footage shared online also appeared to show armoured vehicles moving into areas close to the airport as security forces reinforced their positions.

Jihadist threat

The latest development comes against the backdrop of persistent jihadist attacks in Niger, including two assaults on Niamey airport this year.

The Islamic State in the Sahel reportedly attacked the facility in January, while the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known by its French acronym JNIM, launched another assault in late June.

Both groups have targeted security forces and civilians while simultaneously competing for influence and territorial control across the Sahel, particularly in Niger.

Authorities said 20 attackers were killed and four soldiers wounded during the January assault.

General Tiani, who has led Niger since the July 2023 coup, subsequently described the incident as exposing “a flaw in the system” that “enabled the attack”. He said the “objective was to destroy all of the air capabilities” of the army.

During the June attack, the Defence Ministry said at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, alongside 22 attackers. The military said it successfully repelled the assault.

The Islamic State in the Sahel and JNIM also operate in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, which, together with Niger, are governed by military regimes.

The three countries have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States and moved away from traditional Western security partners, particularly France, while strengthening military cooperation with Russia.

Air Force Base 101, located inside the international airport complex, is considered a strategically important military facility. It hosts the headquarters of Niger’s Russian Africa Corps partners and serves as the command centre for the joint force of the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

The base has also been described as a sensitive location because it reportedly housed a major consignment of uranium concentrate between December and January while arrangements for its export were being awaited. There has been no reported movement of the consignment since then.