Niger appoints new army chief weeks after failed mutiny
Niger's military government has appointed Brigadier General Mamane Sani Kiaou as the new head of the armed forces, weeks after a failed mutiny in the capital, Niamey.
The decree, signed by military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani on September 11 and announced on state television on Friday, replaces Major General Moussa Salaou Barmou. No reason was given for the change.
General Abdourahmane Abou Zataka will replace Kiaou as army chief of staff, while the decree also reshuffles other senior posts in the Army and Air Force.
The changes follow the August 28-29 mutiny, when soldiers attacked Air Base 101 and other strategic sites across Niamey. State media said dozens of mutineers were killed or arrested before loyalist forces regained control.
Niger's government described the unrest as an attempted destabilisation and accused France of helping orchestrate it. Paris denied the allegation, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot calling it "pure fantasy."
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Tiani has ruled Niger since the July 2023 military takeover as the country continues to battle jihadist violence.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
