Coup Attempt in Niger

AU Condemns Coup Attempt in Niger The Chairman of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, stated that the events had been followed with concern and reaffirmed the AU's opposition to any forced changes of government. He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and called on all parties to exercise restraint. The safety of the population and the stability of the country must be the top priority. The military thwarted the coup attempt, which included attacks on the presidential palace and the national television station, the Nigerien Ministry of Defense announced. Since Niger's independence in 1960, coups have been a recurring problem—at least five successful and numerous failed—and the country's political system has long fluctuated between military and democratically elected governments. The following events are significant: April 15, 1974: Lieutenant Colonel Saine Konche staged a coup, overthrowing the first president, Diori, and establishing the Supreme Military Council. January 1996: A military coup; details are scarce. April 1999: Another military coup; details are scarce. February 18, 2010: Salo Gibo led troops into the presidential palace, arrested President Tandja, who was seeking a third term, amended the constitution, and established the "Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy." March 31, 2021: Two days before Bazoum's inauguration, troops attempted to storm the presidential palace but were repelled by the presidential guard; this was a typical failed coup attempt. July 26, 2023: General Chiani, commander of the presidential guard, led his troops to arrest Bazoum and announced the formation of the "National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland," thereby seizing power. This was the most consequential event of the year and significantly worsened relations with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and with Western countries such as France. On August 28/29, 2026, a failed coup attempt or mutiny against the military junta under General Abdourahamane Tiani took place in Niamey, Niger. A group of mutinous soldiers (mostly young officers calling themselves the "Armed Forces for the Restoration of the Fatherland") rebelled at the military base (Air Base 101) at Diori Hamani International Airport. They took officers hostage and attacked strategic targets, including the Plateau administrative district (containing the presidential palace) and the state broadcasting center. Gunfire and explosions could be heard for hours; television broadcasts were temporarily interrupted. The rebellion lasted approximately six hours. The Presidential Guard and loyal forces brought the situation under control. With support from the Russian Africa Corps (formerly the Wagner Group), the base at the airport was recaptured. Algeria later sent military aircraft (including Su-30 jets) in support. There were deaths and injuries (exact numbers are unclear; reports speak of several mutineers killed or arrested, as well as at least three members of the presidential guard killed). Dozens of young soldiers were arrested and paraded in public. Tiani himself came to power in 2023 through a coup, overthrowing the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum (who remains detained). The junta has turned away from Western partners (France, USA) and aligned itself closely with Russia and the Sahel alliance (including Mali and Burkina Faso). The cause of the mutiny was apparently frustration within parts of the army over heavy losses in the fight against jihadist groups (IS Sahel and al-Qaeda affiliates), inadequate equipment, and the preferential treatment of the presidential guard. The junta called it a "mutiny" or a "movement of discontent," while observers and experts described it as a genuine coup attempt. The situation in the capital quickly normalized, but the incident highlights tensions within the armed forces and the junta's heavy reliance on Russian support. Footage shows the capture of rebels at Base 101 in Niger.