Thousands Rally in Niamey to Back Gen. Tiani After Thwarted Army Mutiny

Several thousand people gathered at Niamey's Place de la Concertation on September 2, 2026, in a show of support for junta leader Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani (Tiani), days after Russia's Africa Corps helped put down the August 29 mutiny at Base 101. Demonstrators wore T-shirts bearing Tiani's image and waved Russian flags; the crowd included government ministers. Business Minister Abdoulaye Seydou told the rally 'we will show the whole world that the Nigerien people stand united' and that 'treason will not break our determination,' while Gen. Amadou Ibro claimed the mutiny's 'sponsors are based abroad.' Tiani himself had not made a public appearance since the mutiny as of the rally.