Niger Blames France for Inciting Failed Mutiny as Paris Denies Involvement

Niger has accused France of orchestrating and inciting a failed military mutiny in the capital, Niamey, allegations that Paris has strongly rejected.

The accusation was contained in a government statement read on national television on Friday, following an attack by disgruntled soldiers on a strategic army base in Niamey on August 29. The soldiers reportedly fired shots near the presidential palace before the attempted mutiny was eventually brought under control.

Niger’s army, supported by Russian paramilitary allies, succeeded in neutralising the mutiny, according to authorities. The unrest resulted in the deaths of three members of Niger’s presidential guard, according to the country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. AFP reported that the overall death toll was five, including civilians.

Niger accuses France of leading a network behind the mutiny, with the country’s Council of Ministers saying it had gathered evidence suggesting the attack was supported by a broad network of accomplices.

The government said a “substantial body of evidence” had been collected and warned that Niger could take the matter to international courts. However, the authorities did not publicly provide detailed evidence supporting their allegation against France.

France has rejected the accusation and denied having any role in the attempted mutiny.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot dismissed the allegations as unfounded, describing them as “pure fantasies” during an interview with French radio station RFI on Saturday. He said the claims represented another attempt to wrongly hold France responsible for events in Niger.

The latest accusation comes amid increasingly hostile relations between Niger and France. Relations deteriorated sharply following the 2023 military coup that brought General Abdourahamane Tiani to power.

Since the coup, Niger’s military government has moved away from its former colonial power and strengthened relations with Russia. French troops were expelled from Niger as the junta sought to establish new security partnerships.

Niger has also developed closer ties with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, both of which are governed by military juntas and have similarly reduced their cooperation with France.

The three Sahel countries have increasingly turned toward Russia as they confront persistent jihadist violence. Despite changes in their foreign and security partnerships, militant attacks remain a major challenge across the region.

Niger has previously accused neighbouring countries and foreign powers of supporting efforts against its military government. According to RFI, a Nigerien military official appeared on television earlier in the week and accused several countries, including France, Ivory Coast and Benin, of supporting the attempted mutiny.

The latest dispute is therefore likely to deepen tensions between Niger and France, while also highlighting the broader geopolitical shift taking place across the Sahel.

For Niger’s junta, the failed mutiny represents a serious security challenge, while its accusations against France reflect the increasingly strained relationship between the two countries.