Niger’s military regime, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, faced its most significant challenge on 29 August 2026 since coming to power in 2023. For several hours, soldiers clashed with forces loyal to the junta across the capital, Niamey, in an apparent attempt to seize power. The situation then stabilised and the defence ministry claimed that security forces had regained control.
The episode came after a year in which jihadist violence repeatedly reached Niger’s capital. But this time the challenge came from within the armed forces themselves.
