Niger’s Airspace Shut Down by Junta in Defiance of ECOWAS Ultimatum

Niger’s airspace has been closed by mutinous soldiers, who have accused foreign powers of preparing an attack, as the junta defies a deadline to reinstate the ousted president.

Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane, a spokesman for the coup leaders, said that there is a “threat of intervention being prepared in a neighboring country” as the junta shut down the skies over Niger. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had threatened military intervention if the junta that seized control last month did not relinquish power and reinstate ousted leader Mohammed Bazoum by August 6.

Supporters of the ruling junta, accompanied by some security forces, are checking cars for weapons and keeping an eye out for foreign intervention. State television announced the move Sunday night, hours before the deadline set by ECOWAS.

The junta has rejected the ECOWAS ultimatum and has announced that it will convene on Thursday to discuss the political situation. The closure of Niger’s airspace is the latest action taken by the coup leaders in defiance of the ECOWAS ultimatum.

The situation in Niger remains tense as the junta continues to defy the ECOWAS ultimatum. It is unclear how the regional bloc will respond to the junta’s refusal to reinstate the democratically elected president.