Gunfire In Niamey
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. Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta that has struggled to contain jihadist violence, which has blighted the west African country for around a decade.
"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 in Niamey said that for now the presidential guard was still loyal to ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani. The military said it was "gradually regaining control" after the mutineers took soldiers hostage at a base next to the capital's airport.
In a statement read out on public television and signed by Defence Minister General Salifou Mody, the authorities called on the public to "remain calm and freely go about their business". National TV station Tele Sahel went off air for just over an hour, with a black screen replacing normal programming both via satellite and online.
One local resident told AFP that there was "heavy gunfire and explosions" at Base 101 in Niamey, a report confirmed by several other witnesses. The first shots were heard at about 1:00 am local time and continued until daybreak.
"The weapons we're hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night," another resident said.
Niamey airport has been targeted twice this year by jihadists, first by the Islamic State in the Sahel in January, then in late June by their rivals the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda. The jihadist groups not only target civilians and the military but are also struggling for dominance over each other in the Sahel.