State television reported on Friday that Tiani had appointed Brigadier General Mamane Sani Kiaou as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, replacing General Moussa Salaou Barmou.
According to the report, the appointment was contained in a decree signed by Tiani on September 11, 2026. No reason was given for Barmou’s removal.
Kiaou, who previously served as army chief, has been replaced in that position by General Abdourahmane Abou Zataka.
The leadership changes come weeks after disgruntled soldiers reportedly launched an attempted uprising in the capital, Niamey, attacking strategic locations before taking refuge at a military base near the airport.
The mutiny was eventually suppressed by forces loyal to the junta, with assistance from Russian mercenaries, following heavy clashes in parts of the capital.
Kiaou is regarded by associates as an experienced field commander and has played a leading role in military operations against jihadist groups in Niger’s Tillaberi region in the west and Diffa in the southeast.
State media also reported that he recently visited several major military garrisons across the country as part of efforts to strengthen unity and cohesion among troops.
He was also involved in negotiations that preceded the withdrawal of French and United States forces from Niger after the July 2023 coup.
Tiani seized power in the coup that ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. Bazoum has remained in detention since then.
Under Tiani, Niger has strengthened its ties with Russia while reducing its military and diplomatic cooperation with Western countries, particularly France.
Following last month’s failed mutiny, Niger’s state television had accused France of involvement in the uprising, although no evidence was publicly presented to substantiate the claim.
