According to a report by The Associated Press on August 31, the Niger military government has managed to overcome a serious internal threat since taking power in 2023. Last weekend, mutinous soldiers staged a mutiny, leading to a 24-hour standoff that was eventually resolved with Russian intervention.
According to reports, most of these soldiers were relatively young. They held some of their comrades hostage at a strategically important military base in the capital Niamey, and fired shots near the presidential palace, 12 kilometers away. Subsequently, with the assistance of the Russian paramilitary organization “African Legion,” the Nigerian presidential guard neutralized these mutinous soldiers.
Russian Ambassador to Niger Victor Voropayev told Russian media that Niger had requested support from Russian troops, and that the rebels had been “eliminated”. He noted that this was “especially thanks to the intervention of the ‘African Legion’”.
According to RT, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on its website: "In view of the attacks by anti-government forces against government facilities in Niamey on August 29, Moscow expresses its support for the people of Niger. With the assistance of soldiers from the Russian Ministry of Defense's 'African Legion', these attacks were repelled by the Nigerien army."
Statement reads: "Russia will continue to support Niger's friends in combating extremists, including those instigated by Europe’s former colonial masters. We wish Niger and the entire Sahel nation alliance greater sovereignty and peaceful development."
Since June 2023, the Russian mercenary organization Wagner Group has seen a gradual decline in its influence in Africa after the "rebellion" and the death of its founder, Pugachev. Subsequently, Russia established the paramilitary organization "African Legion" to take over its activities.
