Niger mutiny left five dead, reports and relatives say

Five people were reported killed after a failed soldiers' mutiny in Niger, while the African Union condemned the violence and any attempt to seize power by force.

Media reports and family members said the unrest left five people dead. Niger's state news agency ANP said three presidential guards were killed in the fighting and a young man died after picking up an explosive device. Relatives said another civilian died after being hit by gunfire.

AU Commission chief Mahmoud Ali Youssouf had been following armed clashes at sensitive sites in the capital, Niamey, “with concern”, the commission said Tuesday. It said he “strongly condemns the use of violence and any attempt to seize power by force” and called on all actors to protect the population and the country's stability.

Niger's military regime foiled the mutiny on Saturday with help from Russian paramilitary allies. Earlier reporting said mutineers tried to storm the presidential compound and barricaded themselves at the airport airbase. Several mutineers were killed, according to a security source cited earlier, while others were arrested. Television pictures showed soldiers surrendering, and residents said access to the airbase and the presidency had reopened by Sunday.

The AU, which suspended Niger after a July 2023 coup, renewed its call for “the restoration of constitutional order”. Niger has been run since that coup by General Abdourahamane Tiani, who toppled elected president Mohamed Bazoum. Bazoum has been detained ever since.

Tiani has not spoken publicly since the mutiny. His office said he spoke by phone Monday with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and confirmed the “exceptional deployment” to Niamey on Sunday of Algerian fighter jets at Niger's request.

Niger's military has been struggling to contain jihadist violence. Tiani's government has moved closer to Russia while breaking with Western partners including France.