Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani named Brig. Gen. Mamane Sani Kiaou as Niger's new chief of staff following a nearly 24-hour mutiny in Niamey on Aug. 28–29. The uprising at Base 101 involved mostly young soldiers who took hostages and fired on sensitive sites, and was reportedly driven by grievances over militant violence and poor conditions. Presidential guard units, with support described as coming from Russia's Africa Corps, retook the base; dozens of mutineers were killed or detained and three presidential guard members died. Authorities have not released a full death toll or details on charges against those arrested.
Niger Appoints New Armed Forces Chief After Deadly Mutiny in Niamey
FILE - A view of a street in Niamey, Niger, Wednesday, July. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Hama, FIle)
Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani has appointed Brig. Gen. Mamane Sani Kiaou as Niger's new chief of staff of the armed forces, a decree read on state television late Friday said. No official explanation accompanied the change, which comes less than two weeks after a near 24-hour mutiny shook the capital.
What Happened
On Aug. 28–29, mostly young soldiers staged a mutiny at Base 101, the military facility at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey. According to Niger's Defense Ministry, the mutineers took fellow servicemen hostage and fired on sensitive sites. Analysts and diplomats told reporters the unrest was driven by frustration over worsening militant attacks and poor conditions in the armed forces; some mutineers reportedly came from southern and western regions hit hardest by violence.
Response And Casualties
Presidential guard forces struggled to retake Base 101 until forces described as Russia's Africa Corps intervened with ground and aerial support. Dozens of mutineers were killed or detained, and three members of the presidential guard were killed. Authorities have not released a complete death toll or detailed charges against those arrested.
Personnel Change And Background
Kiaou replaces Maj. Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou, a junta member who had been the military's top commander since the July 2023 coup that removed President Mohamed Bazoum from office. The junta justified that takeover by citing the civilian government's inability to halt extremist violence. Since the coup, Niger has ended much security cooperation with France and the United States and has deepened ties with Russia.
Brig. Gen. Mamane Sani Kiaou is a veteran field commander who previously served as army chief and led operations against armed groups in the western Tillaberi region and the southeastern Diffa region, local media report. Observers say the leadership change may be aimed at reasserting control over the military and shoring up the junta's authority amid continuing instability.
Note: Reporting on the mutiny and outside assistance remains fluid; Nigerien authorities have not disclosed full casualty figures or the legal status of detained soldiers.
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