Niamey says it has gathered evidence of a “network of collusion” led by France and may take the case to international courts, while Paris denies having either the intention or the means to foment the mutiny

Niger’s authorities have accused France of involvement in the military mutiny that targeted Air Base 101, Diori Hamani International Airport and the area around the presidential headquarters in Niamey on August 29. Paris rejected the accusation as “pure fantasy”.

Government spokesperson Soumana Boubacar said in a statement read on state television following a cabinet meeting that the operation, which he said had international ramifications, was instigated and supported by “a vast network of collusion headed by the French regime”.

He claimed that individuals whom the government described as traitors and renegades had received promises in exchange for carrying out plans to destabilise Niger.

Boubacar said the authorities had compiled a “substantial body of evidence” concerning the attack and that Niger reserved the right to refer the matter to international judicial bodies.

The Nigerien government has not yet publicly released the evidence it says it has collected or specified which international court or institution it may approach.

France: Neither the Intention nor the Means

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot categorically rejected the allegations, telling Radio France Internationale that Niger’s account was “pure fantasy”.

Barrot said France had neither the intention nor the means to provoke such a mutiny, describing the accusations as another attempt to blame Paris for events with which it had no connection.

The latest exchange comes amid a collapse in relations between the two countries since the military council led by Abdourahamane Tiani seized power in a July 2023 coup, ended military cooperation with France and moved to strengthen its security partnership with Russia.

Niger’s authorities have since repeatedly accused Paris of supporting efforts to destabilise the country and financing armed groups. France has consistently denied those allegations.

What Happened in Niamey?

The mutiny began at Air Base 101, located inside Niamey’s international airport, before fighting spread to the area around the presidential headquarters and forced the state broadcaster off air for several hours.

The confrontations continued for nearly a day before forces loyal to the authorities regained control of the airbase and other affected sites.

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Niger’s army had repelled the mutiny with assistance from Africa Corps personnel.

Reuters also cited three sources as saying Russian forces played a key role in retaking the base, participated directly in the fighting and used kamikaze drones against the mutineers.

Nigerien state media said hundreds of soldiers participated in the unrest and that dozens were killed or detained, without providing a detailed final toll.

Accusations Widened to African Actors

Niger’s accusations were not limited to France. The government alleged that African actors had served as intermediaries in the purported plot.

State television broadcast a recording of an air force captain accusing Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire and the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, of supporting the attack.

Benin rejected the allegation and denied any involvement. Niger’s authorities have not publicly presented evidence proving the involvement of any of the countries named.

The mutiny exposed tensions within Niger’s armed forces as troops deployed on the front lines continue to suffer repeated losses in fighting against groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIL.

Analysts and security sources say the deteriorating security situation, mounting casualties, inadequate resources and disparities in privileges between the army and the Presidential Guard have contributed to growing discontent within some military units.

Despite Niamey’s accusations and Paris’s denial, no independently verified evidence has yet established a French role in the mutiny. The dispute therefore remains primarily political and diplomatic unless Niger publishes the evidence it says it possesses or initiates formal legal proceedings.