A report circulating online has claimed that Abdourahmane Tchiani, the military junta leader in Niger, has fled the presidential palace in Niamey, the nation’s capital.
The report, as can be seen here, here, here, and here, alleged that Tchiani’s departure from the palace coincided with protests by fellow members of the presidential guard over unpaid salaries.
Tchiani appointed himself head of the country’s new military government in July 2023, following the suspension of the democratically elected government led by Mohamed Bazoum.
Claim: Abdourahmane Tchiani fled presidential palace following protests over unpaid salaries
Verification
The CDD War Room observed that the viral claim that Tchiani had fled the presidential palace took flight on Saturday, August 19, 2023.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Economic West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former Nigerian head of state, touched down in Niamey where they met with the ousted Nigerien president, Bazoum, as well as the junta leader, Tchani, on Saturday.
Similarly, Tchiani announced on Saturday night that the military junta would start a transition process and hand over in three years’ time. He also unveiled plans for a committee, set to be constituted within one month, to sculpt a new constitutional framework for the nation. These developments were reported by multiple credible media outlet.
We found no credible reports to substantiate the claim that Tchiani had fled the presidential palace amidst protest over unpaid salaries. We can confirm that, as of the time of filing this fact-check, Tchiani remains the head of the Nigerien military government, maintaining his residence within the confines of the presidential palace in Niamey.
Verdict: False
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