Niger’s head of state, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has appointed a new chief of defence staff, two weeks after the military mutiny in late August 2026. The announcement came via a statement read on public television.

In late August, authorities foiled an attempted mutiny by soldiers, following clashes in several sensitive areas of Niamey, including the presidency, the international airport and an adjacent military base.

A change at the head of the armed forces

“By a decree signed on 11 September 2026, General Abdourahamane Tiani appointed Brigadier General Mamane Sani Kiaou as chief of defence staff,” the official statement said. General Kiaou, who until then served as chief of staff of the Army, replaces General Moussa Salaou Barmou. The reasons for this replacement were not disclosed.

Described by those close to him as “a seasoned field man”, General Kiaou has led operations against jihadist groups in the Tillabéri and Diffa regions. He also led the discussions that resulted in the departure of French and American forces from Niger following the July 2023 coup.

According to Niger’s official media, he had just completed a tour of the country’s main garrisons in order to “restore cohesion among the soldiers”.

Niger has been led by General Tiani since the July 2023 putsch that overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum, who is still detained.