France Denies Niger's Accusation It Orchestrated Failed Base 101 Mutiny

Niger's military government formally accused France of orchestrating the August 29 Base 101 mutiny, with a senior officer alleging involvement from France alongside Chad, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire, and separately claiming links to the UAE, Belgium, and associates of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum; the junta said it reserved 'the right to bring the matter before international courts.' French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot rejected the accusation as 'pure fantasy' in comments to RFI on September 5, saying France had 'neither intent nor means' to mobilize against Niger. Nigerien authorities have distanced themselves from Paris since the 2023 coup, expelling roughly 1,500 French troops and the French ambassador and suspending RFI and France 24 broadcasts, while deepening security ties with Russia's Africa Corps.