Niger’s military-led government says it contained mutiny: What next?

In the latest turmoil to hit Niger in West Africa, the military-led government says it has contained a mutiny in the capital, Niamey, after hours of gunfire and explosions near key military and government sites.

A military base at Diori Hamani International Airport was first targeted on Saturday by renegade soldiers, followed by attacks on the state broadcaster and presidential palace.

State TV said security forces gradually regained control, while dozens of rebel soldiers were reportedly killed or arrested.

The mutiny is another blow to Niger’s military leadership, which has failed to bring stability to the country since it took over in a coup three years ago. Since then, the military ruler and President General Abdourahamane Tchiani has pivoted the country away from the West, including its former colonial ruler, France.

He has forged close security ties with Russia in efforts to tackle the growing threat from armed groups, but that has not deterred fighters linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) from mounting attacks.

So what happened, who was behind the mutiny and what does it mean for Niger’s military government?

The attacks started shortly after midnight on Saturday at Base 101, a major military facility inside Niamey’s international airport complex previously used by US forces.

General Salifou Mody, Niger’s defence minister, said a group of soldiers detained some of their comrades and opened fire at “certain sensitive sites” in the capital.