Niger’s junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has appointed a new chief of staff of the armed forces following a failed military mutiny that reportedly shook his grip on power last month.
The military government’s supporters, backed by Russian mercenaries, moved to suppress the attempted uprising after disgruntled soldiers attacked several strategic locations in the capital, Niamey, and took refuge in a key military base at the airport.
State television reported on Friday that Tiani had appointed Brigadier General Mamane Sani Kiaou as the new chief of staff.
“By a decree signed on September 11, 2026, General Abdourahamane Tiani has appointed Brigadier General Mamane Sani Kiaou as chief of staff of the armed forces,” state television reported the statement as saying.
Kiaou, who previously served as army chief of staff, replaces General Moussa Salaou Barmou. The statement did not provide a reason for Barmou’s removal.
Tiani also appointed General Abdourahmane Abou Zataka to take over from Kiaou as army chief of staff, according to the statement.
Kiaou has been described by associates as an experienced field commander and has been involved in military operations against jihadist groups in Niger’s western Tillaberi region and the southeastern Diffa area.
Nigerien state media said Kiaou recently completed a tour of important military garrisons across the country aimed at “restoring cohesion among the troops.”
He also played a role in negotiations that led to the withdrawal of French and US forces from Niger after the July 2023 military coup.
Niger has been under Tiani’s rule since July 2023, when the military overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum, who has remained detained since the coup.
Since taking power, Tiani has moved Niger closer to Russia while distancing the country from its former Western partners, particularly France, its former colonial ruler.
State television had previously accused France of being behind last month’s attempted uprising, although no evidence supporting the allegation was provided in the report.
Source: AFP
