The UK government has called for calm and the restoration of constitutional order in Niger after gunfire broke out at the airport in the capital, Niamey, on Wednesday. The incident, which sent passengers and staff scrambling for cover, underscores the fragility of the country's security landscape since the military junta seized power in July.
Witnesses reported hearing sustained gunfire near the Diori Hamani International Airport around midday. Flights were briefly suspended as security forces cordoned off the area. The junta, which has faced mounting international pressure to set a timeline for civilian rule, blamed the incident on an attempted prison break by former government officials. However, independent verification of this claim remains elusive.
In a statement, the UK Foreign Office expressed deep concern. "We urge all parties to refrain from violence and to engage in constructive dialogue to restore stability," a spokesperson said. "The UK stands with the people of Niger and supports regional efforts to ensure a peaceful return to democratic governance."
The European Union and the United States have also condemned the violence. The US State Department called for an immediate investigation, while the EU reiterated its demand for the junta to release deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains under house arrest.
For the people of Niger, this is another blow to a country already grappling with poverty, climate shocks, and the threat of jihadist insurgencies. The political turmoil has exacerbated economic hardship. The cost of essentials like rice and cooking oil has soared, and families are struggling. "We don't know what tomorrow will bring," said Amina, a market trader in Niamey, who asked to be identified only by her first name for fear of reprisal. "We just want peace. Our children need to go to school. We need to be able to work."
The junta's takeover has also heightened tensions with neighbouring states and Western powers. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed severe sanctions, including border closures and the freezing of assets. These measures are meant to choke the junta into submission, but they have also hit ordinary Nigeriens hard.
The UK's call for order reflects a broader anxiety about the stability of the Sahel region. Niger, a former French colony, has been a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist extremism. The presence of French and American troops has been called into question since the coup, and there are fears that the chaos could allow militant groups to expand their foothold.
The junta has so far shown little appetite for compromise. It has proposed a three-year transition to civilian rule, a timeline that ECOWAS rejected as too long. Talks between the two sides have stalled, and the path forward is uncertain.
For now, the sound of gunfire at the airport is a stark reminder that Niger's crisis is far from over. The UK's plea for calm is unlikely to be the final word. The real test is whether the junta can be convinced to step aside, or whether the country is headed for deeper turmoil. For ordinary Nigeriens, the question is more immediate: how do they feed their families and keep their children safe in a country that seems to be unravelling before their eyes?
