Niger's capital of Niamey on Sunday appeared calm with normalcy restored after a day of unrest as young soldiers staged a mutiny that threatened the ruling military junta before being repelled by loyalist forces aided by Russian troops. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The soldiers engaged loyalist forces in sustained gunfire overnight from Friday till late Saturday. Most of the clashes took place at Niamey's main airport that houses the military air base and in a district where the presidential palace is located.
The unrest culminated in the arrest or killing of dozens of soldiers who were paraded in front of the cameras live on state television. The fate of the mutineers was not immediately clear and authorities did not disclose any charges against them.
On Sunday, military trucks and check points were seen across the city, particularly along major roads between the airport and the presidential district. Junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani was yet to make any public comments or appearance.
Here's what we know about the mutiny, according to witnesses, analysts and diplomats: Nigeriens were awoken around midnight on Friday into Saturday by bursts of gunfire and explosions that started at the Diori Hamani International Airport. The airport is a strategic hub that hosts a key military air base, known as Base 101, as well as the headquarters of Russia's Africa Corps in the country. It was the third time this year the airport has experienced unrest.
Gunshots were also heard near the presidential palace in the Plateau district of Niamey as a group of soldiers confronted forces loyal to the junta. Niger's Defense Ministry said its forces were gradually regaining control of the situation after a group of soldiers took their "comrades" hostage at the airport.