Niger Accuses France of Orchestrating Mutinous Airbase Attack

Niger's government has formally accused France of instigating last week's attack on a key military airbase by mutinous soldiers, a statement read on state television announced on Friday.

The assault, which occurred on August 29, targeted both the airport and the presidency in the capital, Niamey. Explosions and gunfire were also reported at the military airbase, marking the most significant challenge yet to the rule of Abdourahamane Tiani, who came to power in a 2023 coup.

The army, supported by Russian paramilitary forces, managed to regain control of the base the following day. However, the incident has laid bare deep divisions within Niger's armed forces, which have suffered repeated losses in its ongoing fight against a jihadist insurgency.

Following a meeting on Friday, the Council of Ministers concluded that the attack was orchestrated by a vast network of accomplices led by France. The government stated that a substantial body of evidence has been compiled and that Niger reserves the right to bring the matter before international courts.

This is not the first time Tiani has pointed the finger at France and other West African nations for internal unrest, having made similar accusations earlier this year without providing public evidence.