Niger’s defense minister, General Moody, said loyalist forces contained a mutiny by soldiers in Niamey, calling the rebels’ actions a breach of military regulations.
The statement, issued by the Ministry of Defense, said the mutineers fired on sensitive targets before being stopped by troops that remained faithful to the government.
The incident, which the authorities have not fully explained, is under investigation. According to the minister’s statement, the authorities have ruled out a jihadist attack and are treating the event as a mutiny.
The statement did not provide further details on the mutineers’ demands or the extent of the violence.
The attempted uprising has drawn concern from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional bloc that includes Niger.
The AES expressed displeasure at the “seditious mood” and voiced support for Niger’s authorities, while saluting the “valor and loyalty” of the country’s defense and security forces.
President Abdourahamane Tiani, who leads Niger’s National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), has not yet commented publicly on the mutiny.
The defense minister’s statement said Tiani “does not engage in secrecy” and would name all hostile forces involved in the action against state security.
Source: Aujourd'hui au Faso