By : Ngozi Egenuka
The Government of Nigeria has expressed deep concern over the current political and security situation in the Republic of Niger. Niger regained control of a major military base in the capital Niamey after an attempted coup by disgruntled soldiers on Saturday threatened to overthrow the embattled regime of General Abdourahmane Tchiani.
Authorities have since retaken control of the base and other areas in Niamey, according to the state media corporation RTN, which broadcast images of mutinous soldiers being detained. It is unclear how many soldiers have been arrested.
In a statement released yesterday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by the Spokesperson of the ministry, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, Nigeria has called for the reign of peace, security, development in Niger.
Airtel Tenancy
“As a neighbour with which it shares close historical, fraternal and cultural bonds, the Federal Government of Nigeria is keenly desirous to see that peace, security, democracy and development reign supreme in the country,” the statement read
Adeniyi noted that a peaceful, secure and stable situation in Niger will impact positively and directly on Nigeria, the sub-region and the Sahel, adding that any resort to the use of force to settle political differences detracts from this objective.
The ministry therefore urged the government and people of Niger to work together towards an inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order in the interest of the country, regional peace and stability.
The statement follows report of gunfire and explosions heard in several parts of Niamey, Niger Republic’s capital, early on Saturday as attackers targeted the city’s Diori Hamani International Airport.
The airport is home to an air force base, a major military installation, and is located about 10km from the presidential palace.
A member of Niger’s Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) parliament, Bana Wagana Ibrahim, confirmed the attack in a Facebook post, adding that the defence and security forces ensured the situation was under control.
Defence minister Salifou Modi said mutineers had fired on “sensitive sites” around the capital.
Both Italy and Russia have military contingents in Niamey. Russian ambassador Viktor Voropayev said Africa Corps, a Russian paramilitary force that is also present in Mali and Burkina Faso, had helped put down the mutiny.
He told Russian state news agency Tass that Nigerian forces had appealed to Russia for assistance, and that the Nigerian high command had since visited Africa Corps’ base to thank its servicemen for their assistance. Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said Italian forces were not involved.
