RismadarVoice Reporters, August 29, 2026
Clashes broke out in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Saturday between members of the armed forces and the presidential guard following hours of heavy gunfire and explosions in parts of the city.
Niger has been under military rule since a coup in 2023, with the junta facing persistent challenges from jihadist groups operating across the country and the wider Sahel region.
A security source told AFP that elements of the armed forces had attempted to gain access to the presidential palace but were repelled by the presidential guard.
“There was an attempt by insurgents from the Nigerien armed forces to enter the presidential palace,” the source said, adding that exchanges of gunfire were continuing around the palace.
An African diplomat in Niamey said the presidential guard remained loyal to the country’s military ruler, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
Meanwhile, the military authorities said they were gradually restoring control after the alleged mutineers reportedly took soldiers hostage at a military base near the capital’s airport.
In a statement read on state television and signed by Defence Minister General Salifou Mody, the authorities urged residents to remain calm and continue their normal activities.
The statement followed reports of heavy gunfire that began in the early hours of Saturday.
Earlier, the military had appealed to citizens through social media to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information.
“Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland,” the military said.
Residents reported intense gunfire and explosions around Air Force Base 101, located within the international airport complex.
Niger’s national television station, Tele Sahel, also went off air for more than an hour before transmission resumed at about 10:00am local time.
Residents said soldiers had blocked access to the presidential palace and the national television station.
According to local accounts, the first gunshots were heard at around 1:00am and continued until daybreak. Other residents reported additional bursts of gunfire later in the morning.
One resident said he saw a military vehicle moving towards the military base before turning back.
Another resident said the intensity of the weapons being used suggested that the incident involved more than the usual attacks carried out by jihadists.
Several social media posts also reported explosions and gunfire, particularly around the administrative district where the presidential palace and national television station are located.
Videos circulating online showed armoured vehicles deployed around areas close to the airport.
The latest clashes occurred in a country that has faced repeated attacks by jihadist groups.
Niamey’s airport has been targeted twice this year. The first attack, in January, was attributed to the Islamic State in the Sahel, while another assault in June was linked to the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).
Both attacks were reportedly repelled by the military.
Authorities said 20 attackers were killed and four soldiers wounded during the January assault.
Following the attack, General Tiani said a weakness in the security system had allowed the assailants to target the airport.
During the June attack, the Defence Ministry said at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, while 22 attackers were also reported dead.
The Islamic State in the Sahel and JNIM are also active in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, which, like Niger, are governed by military juntas.
The three countries have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and strengthened their cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States.
They have also reduced security cooperation with traditional Western partners, particularly France, while seeking closer ties with Russia.
Air Force Base 101, located within the airport complex, is considered strategically sensitive. It hosts Russian Africa Corps personnel and serves as the command centre for the joint force of the Alliance of Sahel States.
The facility also reportedly hosted a major shipment of uranium concentrate between December and January, although no recent movement of the shipment has been identified.
