Niger: Niger’s coup leaders have shut down the country’s airspace after rejecting an ultimatum from West African states to reinstate ousted President Mr. Mohamed Bazoum or face the possibility of military interference.
The move came as tens of thousands of coup supporters gathered at a stadium in Niger’s capital, Niamey, to support the military generals who seized power, also known as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).
The CNSP spokesman Mr. Amadou Abdramane cited the threat of military intervention from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the airspace closure.
In a statement, Mr. Abdramane remarked that “there had been a pre-deployment of forces in two Central African countries in preparation for intervention,” but did not give details.
“In the face of the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighbouring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday for all aircraft until further notice,” the CNSP spokesman commented.
“Niger’s armed forces and all our defence and security forces, backed by the unfailing support of our people, are ready to defend the integrity of our territory,” Mr. Abdramane added.
Recently, the defence chiefs of the ECOWAS have agreed on a possible military action plan, including when and where to strike if Mr. Bazoum is not released and reinstated by the July 7 deadline.
The coup, the seventh in west and central Africa in three years, has shaken the Sahel region, one of the poorest in the world. Niger, due to its valuable uranium and oil resources, as well as its crucial involvement in a conflict against Islamist militants, holds great importance for global powers like the US, Europe, China, and Russia.
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