Niger replaces military chief after Russian kamikaze drones help crush 24-hour mutiny

General Abdourahamane Tiani appointed Brigadier General Mamane Sani Kiaou as chief of staff of the armed forces through a decree announced on state television late on Friday, 11 September.

Kiaou replaces Major General Moussa Salaou Barmou, who had led Niger’s military since shortly after the July 2023 coup that removed former President Mohamed Bazoum.

The government did not publicly explain why Barmou was replaced. However, the change follows the most serious internal military challenge to Tiani’s government since it took power three years ago.

The Associated Press reported⁠ that Kiaou is an experienced battlefield commander who has led operations in Tillabéri and Diffa, two regions badly affected by attacks linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Russian drones helped stop the mutiny

The leadership change follows a revolt at Base 101, a strategic military installation beside Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, on 28 and 29 August.

Mutinous soldiers reportedly took hostages and attacked the airport, the presidential area and other sensitive sites. Gunfire and explosions continued for almost 24 hours before forces loyal to Tiani regained control.

Nigerien state television said dozens of mutineers were killed or arrested. Three members of the presidential guard were also reportedly killed.

The authorities have not released a complete casualty list or disclosed how many soldiers joined the revolt.

Niger’s forces received direct assistance from Russia’s Africa Corps during the battle. Reuters reported⁠ that Russian personnel provided combat support and operated kamikaze drones against the mutineers.

Russia’s ambassador to Niger subsequently confirmed that Russian forces helped the government regain control.

Russia is becoming a protector of Sahel juntas

Russia’s involvement carries significance beyond Niger’s internal military politics.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have reduced military cooperation with France and other Western countries while expanding their relationships with Moscow.

Russia has supplied military equipment, instructors and combat personnel through Africa Corps, the organisation that succeeded much of the Wagner Group’s operation on the continent.

Until recently, these partnerships were presented mainly as part of the fight against armed groups operating across the Sahel.

The intervention in Niamey suggests that Africa Corps has acquired another role: protecting friendly military governments from threats within their own armed forces.

Russia had already promised equipment and training for a planned 5,000-member joint force involving Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. It has also developed an air network for supporting its operations across the three countries.

By deploying personnel and explosive drones against the Nigerien mutineers, however, Russia moved from supporting Niger’s military to helping decide which faction retained control of it.

A new chief takes over an unsettled military

The government has not accused Barmou of participating in the revolt, and no publicly available evidence links him to the mutineers.

His removal could nevertheless indicate that Tiani is reorganising the command structure after the security breach.

Base 101 is particularly sensitive because it shares facilities with Niamey’s international airport and supports Niger’s air force. It is also important to the joint military plans of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

The August mutiny was the third attack involving the airport area in 2026. Armed attackers killed 11 soldiers and two civilians there in June, while an earlier assault in January targeted military drone assets.

The latest revolt was different because it reportedly involved serving Nigerien soldiers rather than an outside armed group.

Some participating troops were reportedly drawn from areas suffering repeated militant attacks. Their motives have not been established independently, although reports have linked the revolt to worsening security conditions, military casualties and dissatisfaction among frontline units.

Niger later accused France of encouraging the mutiny but did not release evidence supporting the allegation. France denied involvement.

Kiaou now takes charge of the armed forces as the government confronts both the jihadist insurgency and signs of internal discontent within its military.

The appointment may strengthen Tiani’s immediate control. It also underlines the extent to which the survival of Niger’s military government has become connected to Russian personnel, aircraft and weapons.