The military uprising that took place in Niamey in Niger has revealed mounting tensions within the military, making one wonder if General Abdourahamane Tiani’s administration will manage to keep the soldiers fighting the insurgent groups loyal to his regime.
The botched mutiny that took place on August 29 involved soldiers seizing parts of Air Base 101 located at Diori Hamani International Airport and marching to locations around the presidential palace and national broadcaster. According to the government authorities, it was just a case of mutiny, while some regional analysts considered it an attempt to carry out a coup.
Although the military mutiny was put down, it has shed light on several challenges affecting Niger’s military, such as low salaries, lack of military equipment, and dissatisfaction amongst troops operating at the front lines of the conflict.
Why Have Niger Military Soldiers Fought Back Against Tiani?
The military in Niger has been engaged in battles with militants linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in large parts of the country for years now.
However, despite the government’s promise of better security following the July 2023 military coup, attacks from jihadists have persisted. The prolonged conflict, along with challenging working environments for soldiers in isolated areas, is taking its toll.
Sahel expert Abdoulaye Sounaye told DW that many Nigerien soldiers earn less than €150 a month while raising big families.
With such factors as low salary, tough working conditions, and risks in combat being present, dissatisfaction has arisen among certain sectors of the army.
Soldiers Are Faced With Major Equipment and Supplies Issues
Low pay isn’t the only problem here.
Soldiers battling insurgents across the vast terrain of Niger have encountered challenges relating to transport, supplies, and military equipment.
According to a Nigerien soldier who talked to DW anonymously, insurgents make use of motorcycles, allowing them to move swiftly across hard-to-access areas while the army relies mostly on 4x4s.
This imbalance means that soldiers will find themselves at a great disadvantage when they attack.
As mentioned earlier, the soldier was always afraid of being killed as he went on missions, adding that troops fought because they did not have another option since they had to defend their nation.
With all these complaints, there is an emerging dilemma facing the government of Tiani – how long would a military government rule when the soldiers who fight their battles feel frustrated in their own army?
Presidential Guard Versus Frontline Troops
There is a possibility that some of the tensions have emerged due to the disparity in the treatment that soldiers who work in elite units meant to protect the leadership receive in comparison to those fighting insurgents.
According to Sahel analyst Mamadou Mouth Bane from DW, troops who fight on the frontline are neglected in comparison to members of the presidential guard.
It becomes even riskier for a military-led government as the armed forces not only handle the issue of the nation’s security but form the basis of the government.
Role of Russia’s Africa Corps During the Mutiny
However, Russia’s Africa Corps was equally significant in the response to the mutiny.
The contingent of Russian troops that succeeded in taking up some of the former Wagner Group’s functions in Africa has now become a valuable ally to the military regime in Niger.
As revealed by the Russian envoy in Niger, Russian personnel helped to retake Air Base 101 in accordance with a request from the country’s military authorities.
This move clearly underscored the importance of the partnership for the Tiani government. Nevertheless, this move highlighted a vulnerability in the security situation.
If foreign troops are needed to defend strategic facilities and help out the junta in case of a military uprising within its ranks, there will certainly be questions about the independence and strength of the security agencies in the country.
Russia – The Country’s New Security Partner?
While Niger’s reliance on Russia is growing, it is distancing itself from Western security allies.
It belongs to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), together with Mali and Burkina Faso, whose military regimes are also partnering with Russia.
The Russian help can serve as immediate assistance for the Tiani government in terms of security issues; however, it will not be able to resolve the deeper military problems of Niger, such as recruitment, logistics, salary payments and, above all, the ongoing jihadist insurgencies.
Thus, the failed coup produces a complex situation for the government.
Russia assisted the Tiani government in dealing with the situation, but the very fact of the emergence of the crisis inside the military indicates the existence of deeper problems which cannot be resolved by security assistance from abroad.
What Does the Failed Coup Mean for Tiani?
The coup attempt has been successfully contained; Tiani has managed to maintain control over the situation in the country.
However, it can also serve as a strong warning for the military government.
It came to power by overthrowing the elected president and promising to improve the security of the country. However, after three years in power, its troops continue facing insurgency, and some soldiers seem to be dissatisfied with their working conditions and equipment.
The crisis clearly indicates that the loyalty of the military troops cannot be taken for granted.
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