Niger military appoints new chief of staff after mutiny

A new chief of staff was named on Tuesday to replace the ousted commander of the armed forces after a short‑lived mutiny challenged the authority of the military rulers who have governed the country since the 2021 coup. Lieutenant General Ahmed Al‑Mansour, a veteran officer who previously headed the army’s logistics division, was appointed by the ruling council in a televised ceremony, with officials saying his experience and loyalty would help restore stability and prevent further insubordination.

The mutiny, which erupted in the capital’s northern barracks on Monday, involved a faction of junior officers who seized a weapons depot and demanded the resignation of senior leaders. Security forces quickly suppressed the uprising, resulting in at least eight arrests and the death of two soldiers, according to the ministry of defense. The incident prompted the junta to reassess its command structure, leading to the dismissal of the former chief of staff, General Karim Hassan, who was accused of failing to anticipate the dissent. International observers noted that the swift appointment of Al‑Mansour underscores the regime’s intent to consolidate power and deter future challenges, while human‑rights groups called for an independent investigation into the handling of the mutiny.