The military junta requested assistance from the Russian personnel of Africa Corps.
On Tuesday, Niger accused several neighboring countries and France of involvement in the attempted coup over the weekend, in which three members of the presidential guard were killed.
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Captain Roger Gabriel, commander of the paratrooper battalion, declared that it was not a mutiny, but rather an attempt to destabilize the military body, even implicating relatives of former President Mohamed Bazoum.
Gabriel stated that he received a call from a colonel in Chad, who informed him that French and Chadian special forces were preparing to intervene in support of the rebel soldiers.
He also indicated that Bazoum’s relatives mentioned alleged support from Ivory Coast for the mutineers. The military junta requested assistance from the Russian personnel of Africa Corps, who intervened with ground and air support to regain control alongside the forces of President Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Attempted military coup ongoing in Niger.
Parts of the military, supported by special forces, have attacked the airport and presidential palace in Niamey.
Both loyalist and rebel elements of the military have left their positions in the south where they were fighting against… pic.twitter.com/RWb7cS4CuW
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 29, 2026
The Nigerien Ministry of Defence attributed the violence to a “spontaneous outburst” involving soldiers who had breached military regulations.
This episode represents the most serious internal challenge for Tchiani since he assumed power following the coup in July 2023. Niger is part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), along with Mali and Burkina Faso, countries that have severed military ties with France.
Meanwhile, AES has deepened its cooperation with Moscow, reinforcing a regional axis that seeks to distance itself from Western influence and consolidate new strategic security alliances.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Niger for an official working visit. The visit underscores the growing strategic and diplomatic cooperation between Moscow and Niamey.#Russia #Niger #Niamey #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/lMD6EbwlVc
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) July 8, 2026
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
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