Niger’s military junta has formally accused France of orchestrating an assault on a vital strategic military airbase by renegade soldiers last week.
The explosive allegation was broadcast on state television via an official government statement released by the ruling Council of Ministers.
The dramatic late-August mutiny saw heavily armed renegade troops target Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport alongside key positions near the heavily fortified presidential palace.
Intense gunfire and explosions erupted around Base 101, a critical military installation that houses both regional command assets and foreign defense personnel.
Government officials claimed the uprising was carefully provoked by an expansive foreign network. They alleged that Paris acted as the primary mastermind behind the destabilization effort.
“A substantial body of evidence has been compiled regarding this attack, and Niger reserves the right to bring the matter before international courts,” the official statement declared.
Loyalist military units launched an immediate counter-offensive, successfully crushing the insurrection and regaining complete control over the compromised facilities by the following day.
Russian paramilitary forces operating under the Africa Corps banner provided crucial tactical backing to loyalist troops during the chaotic nocturnal operation to secure the base.
French authorities have forcefully rejected the accusations, dismissing the regime’s claims as completely unfounded and manufactured to deflect internal political pressures.
“These are nothing but pure fantasies,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated during a recent media interview, denying any operational involvement.
Bilateral ties between Niamey and Paris have deteriorated catastrophically since the military coup of July 2023 that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The ruling junta subsequently ordered the complete expulsion of French military forces and pivoted aggressively toward Moscow for internal security assistance.
