Gambiaj.com – (NIAMEY, Niger) – Niger’s military authorities have accused France, several West African countries, and individuals close to detained former president Mohamed Bazoum of supporting a failed mutiny that erupted in Niamey on August 28 and 29.
The allegations were made on state television on Tuesday through the testimony of Captain Roger Gabriel, who identified himself as a member of Niger’s First Parachute Battalion.
The ruling junta had initially described the unrest as a “movement of discontent,” but Captain Gabriel’s account presented the incident as a wider attempt to destabilize the military government.
Captain Alleges Foreign Support
Speaking on camera in military uniform and reading from notes, Captain Gabriel said he had been contacted by insurgents from the Security and Intelligence Battalion of Niger’s Special Operations Command shortly before they launched their action during the night of August 28.
He said the officers had asked for his support, but he rejected the request.
The captain also alleged that a person close to former president Bazoum had contacted him and claimed that Benin and Côte d’Ivoire had received ECOWAS approval to intervene in support of the mutineers.
Gabriel further alleged that he had been contacted by military personnel in Chad.
According to his account, a Chadian colleague initially called him to ask whether a terrorist attack was taking place in Niamey. After being told that this was not the case, the colleague allegedly called again and claimed that an intervention was being prepared from Chad with the involvement of the authorities and French special forces to support those who had taken control of Base 101.
No evidence was presented publicly to support the allegations against France, Chad, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, or ECOWAS.
Chad Responds Indirectly
The accusations have so far prompted an indirect response from Chad.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby, without mentioning Niger or its military authorities, posted a Quranic verse on social media saying, “Do not mix truth with falsehood or knowingly conceal the truth.”
The Nigerien junta itself, including its leader General Abdourahamane Tiani and members of the government, has not publicly commented on Captain Gabriel’s allegations.
Authorities have also not released an official casualty toll from the violent clashes.
The fighting reportedly involved rebel soldiers, mainly drawn from Niger’s special forces, against the Presidential Guard, which was reportedly supported by Russian Africa Corps personnel.
The incident represents one of the most serious internal security challenges faced by Niger’s military government since General Tiani seized power in the July 2023 coup that removed President Bazoum from office.
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