Clashes erupted in Niger’s capital on Saturday between the presidential guard and elements of the armed forces, after a night of heavy gunfire in parts of the city.
A security source told AFP that the presidential guard repelled “insurgents from within the armed forces” who attempted to enter the presidential palace in Niamey. “The presidential guard pushed them back. Exchanges of gunfire are continuing at the palace,” a security source said.
The unrest began in the early hours of Saturday morning, with the first shots heard at about 1:00 am local time near Air Base 101, a major military installation adjacent to the Diori Hamani International Airport . The fighting continued until daybreak, with residents reporting “heavy gunfire and explosions” at the base . One resident told AFP: “The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night” .
Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Mody, confirmed that a group of soldiers had “broken away from military order” and taken some of their comrades hostage at Base 101 before opening fire on sensitive sites in the capital . However, authorities later said they were “gradually regaining control” of the situation.
The state television signal was cut for just over an hour before being restored. The military urged the public to remain calm and “avoid sharing unverified information”.
An African diplomat in Niamey said the presidential guard remained loyal to ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani . The unrest is believed to stem from grievances within the military over the high human toll in the fight against jihadists, rather than jihadist activity.
