Niger: Coup fear as gunshots rock Presidential palace, airport

Gunfire and explosions were heard in parts of Niamey, Niger’s capital, early Saturday, with reports of heavy shooting around a military base near the city’s international airport.

The source of the attack remained unclear as of Saturday morning, while Nigerien authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

A resident told AFP that heavy gunfire and explosions were heard around Air Force Base 101, located within the airport complex.

Several other witnesses reportedly confirmed hearing the sounds, with the first shots beginning at about 1am local time (0000 GMT) and continuing until daybreak.

Video footage shared by a local journalist showed activity around the airport area during the early morning hours.

Another resident in western Niamey said sporadic small-arms fire was heard at about 5am.

Reports on social media also pointed to gunfire and explosions in other parts of the capital, including the administrative district where the presidential palace and national television station are located.

Videos circulating online showed armoured vehicles being deployed around neighbourhoods close to the airport.

The incident comes after Niamey’s airport was targeted twice by jihadist groups earlier this year.

The Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) claimed responsibility for an attack in January, while the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the Sahel branch of al-Qaeda, carried out another assault in June.

The two groups are rivals and have been competing for influence across the Sahel, particularly in Niger, while also carrying out attacks against civilians and government forces.

During the January attack, Nigerien authorities said 20 attackers were killed and four soldiers wounded.

In June, the country’s defence ministry said at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, alongside 22 attackers, during another assault on the airport.

The military said both attacks were repelled.

Air Force Base 101 is considered a highly sensitive military facility because it sits within the international airport complex.

The base also houses the headquarters of Russian Africa Corps personnel in Niger, as well as the command of the joint force established by the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

Niger has been ruled by a military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani since the July 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

The junta has struggled to contain jihadist violence that has plagued the country for years.

Following the January airport attack, Tiani acknowledged security weaknesses that had allowed the assault to take place, saying the attackers had sought to destroy the army’s air capabilities.

Jihadist violence persists despite shift to Russia

Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have all experienced military coups and subsequently moved away from their traditional Western security partners, particularly France.

The three countries also withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and formed closer security and political ties with Russia.

However, the shift has yet to end the jihadist insurgency, with Islamic State and al-Qaeda-linked groups continuing to operate across the region.

The latest gunfire in Niamey has raised fresh concerns over security in the capital, particularly around strategic military and government installations.

Authorities had not publicly confirmed who was responsible for Saturday’s shooting or whether there were casualties as of the latest reports.