Mutinying Soldiers Clash in Niger Capital; Junta Claims Control

On Saturday, mutinying soldiers engaged in armed clashes in Niamey, Niger’s capital, prompting alarm among residents. The ruling junta reported that after hours of heavy exchanges around key sites, it had largely regained control. The fighting subsided later that day. Regional security and African diplomatic sources said the rebel troops were holed up in an airbase near the capital’s airport. The junta issued a statement on state television affirming its regained authority, though details of the statement were not fully disclosed.