The 2021 Nigerien coup d'etat attempt occurred on 31 March at around 3 am WAT (2 am UTC) after gunfire erupted in the streets of Niamey, the capital of Niger, two days before the inauguration of president-elect Mohamed Bazoum.

The coup attempt was staged by elements within the military, and was attributed to an Air Force unit based in the area of the Niamey Airport.

However, the defeated opponent and ex-president Mahamane Ousmane contested the election results and lodged a legal appeal with the constitutional court, which was rejected.

According to Cyril Payen of France 24, "heavy weapon fire was heard for half an hour in the area of the presidential palace.

[10] The democratic transition went as planned, the swearing-in of the new president Mohamed Bazoum occurring two days after the attempted coup.