- Niger’s Airspace Closed Amid Military Intervention Concerns
- Ecowas Demand for President’s Reinstatement and Regional Reactions
- International Pressure and Tensions Surrounding Niger’s Coup and Power Struggle
Citing the prospect of military intervention from their neighbors, Niger’s coup leaders have closed the country’s airspace until further notice.
It follows Ecowas’ demand that President Mohamed Bazoum be reinstated by Sunday.
Ecowas warned that the junta could face military intervention and will decide next steps on Thursday.
Mali and Burkina Faso, both junta-ruled, will send officials to Niger in support.
Flightradar24 reported that a cargo jet left Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, and landed in Niger hours after airspace was blocked.
The escalating instability in the region prompted France, a former colonial power, to issue a travel advisory for the Sahel region on Monday, advising its citizens not to travel there and to exercise caution due to anti-French sentiment.
Foreign ministry: “It is essential to limit travel, avoid gatherings, and keep themselves regularly apprised of the situation.”
The junta in Niger stated on Sunday that it had information that a “foreign power” was planning an attack on the country, after military commanders from Ecowas, a 15-nation bloc that includes Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, and Ghana, drew up a detailed plan for the use of force.
It had given Niger’s junta leaders until Sunday at 23:00 GMT to step down and restore the elected president.
Earlier, Abdel-Fatau Musah, the bloc’s commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security, stated that while “all the elements” of an “eventual intervention” had been worked out, the organization wanted “diplomacy to work.”
The Nigerian Senate discussed the situation in Niger over the weekend after receiving a letter from President Bola Tinubu regarding the Ecowas resolutions imposing sanctions and the potential use of military force.
According to local media, there was significant opposition to military intervention. Particularly from senators representing states along the lengthy border between the two countries.
President Tinubu has been notably vocal in demanding that the Niger military vacate power and has threatened to use force if they do not; however, he requires the approval of the National Assembly before he can authorize any foreign military intervention.
Both Italy and Germany have requested an extension of the deadline to reinstate President Bazoum to find a diplomatic solution.
Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, commander of presidential security, took over after Mr. Bazoum was dismissed on July 26.
The military seizure was criticised by France, the EU, the UN, and the US.
Several hundred expatriates were evacuated from Niger.
On Sunday, thousands of coup supporters rallied in Niamey, the capital.
Burkina Faso and Mali warned that military intervention in Niger would be a “declaration of war” against them. Both countries are Ecowas members but have been suspended from the organization since military takeovers.
Niger is a significant producer of uranium, an essential fuel for nuclear power, and under Mr. Bazoum was a key Western ally in the war against Islamist militants in the Sahel region of West Africa.
