Niger coup’s leaders (Junta) have shut down the country’s airspace indefinitely stating the threat of military intervention from other countries.
Flighradar24, a flight tracking website has cited that there are no aircraft in Niger’s skies after the airspace was shut down.
Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) warned the Junta group prior to the shutdown of the airspace. They warned them that it (Ecowas) could use forceful measures if President Mohammed Bazoum was not reinstated by Sunday 23:00 GMT.
A Junta spokesperson responded to the ultimatum issued by Ecowas by saying that Niger’s armed forces are ready to defend their country. The shutdown of their air spaces comes a few hours to the end of the ECOWAS ultimatum.
President Mohammed Bazoum was detained on 26 July after the coup that was carried out successfully. Abdourhamane Tchiani, the commander of the presidential guard, took over the office and proclaimed himself the new leader of Niger.
After the coup took place, countries both in the international space and local countries have condemned the coup itself. Its former colonial power, France and the rest of the European Union, as well as the United States and United Nations, have condemned the detaining of Bazoum and the Junta takeover.
The Junta spokesperson mentioned on National Television that they had received word of a ‘foreign power’ preparing to attack Niger. This statement was issued while announcing the shutting down of Niger’s airspace.
Responses Issued to the Coup
ECOWAS held a crisis meeting in Nigeria after the coup happened and a warning was issued to the Junta. During the meeting, ECOWAS military chiefs drew up a plan for the possible use of force inclusive of the resources and structure of deployment.
“We want diplomacy to work, and we want this message clearly transmitted to them (Niger’s Junta) that we are giving them every opportunity to reverse what they have done,” said Abdel-Fatau Musah, Ecowas commissioner for political affairs, peace and security.
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Ecowas is a regional trading bloc of 15 countries inclusive of Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Ghana. They issued an ultimatum for the reinstatement of Mr Bazoum which has passed and not been adhered to.
On Sunday, which was the day of the ultimatum, thousands of the coup leaders’ supporters rallied at a stadium in Niger’s capital, Niamey in defiance of the reinstatement of Bazoum.
Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger’s neighbours warned that they would treat any outside military intervention in Niger as a ‘declaration of war’ against them as well. The two countries are members of Ecowas but were suspended after the military juntas took over office.
Niger is one of the main uranium producers and was once a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants, while under Bazoum. Uranium is a fuel that is vital for nuclear power.
While in the stadium, a few supporters were seen waving Russian flags and supporting the BRICS movement. It is feared that the country while under the Junta rule, may shift their allegiance to Russia and close the French and US bases in the country.
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