EPAThe military leaders of the ECOWAS countries at a meeting this week
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 01:53
The junta in Niger closed the airspace to all air traffic late last night. Speaking on national television, a spokesman for the military government said any attempt to violate airspace would be met with an “immediate and strong response”.
Niger’s coup plotters had been given until last night by neighboring West African countries to reverse their coup and reinstall deposed President Bazoum. A week ago, Ecowas, a regional partnership, issued an ultimatum.
West African countries threatened military action if the military did not budge. Ecowas said Friday it discussed details of an armed intervention. Attempts to negotiate have so far failed.
Sanctions
Heavy economic sanctions were also imposed. For example, commercial flights were no longer allowed to fly over the country and Nigeria has halted the supply of electricity to poverty-stricken Niger. The coup plotters in Niger said they do not intend to give in to the pressure.
A week ago, the democratically elected Bazoum was deposed by the army. He has been in captivity ever since. In an op-ed, Bazoum wrote that his country is under attack and asked the international community to restore order in the country.
Suspended
Nigeria, the most powerful country in the region, says it will no longer tolerate military coups. In West Africa, coups have taken place in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso in recent years. Those three countries are members of ECOWAS, just like Niger, but all are suspended. They want to help Niger if it is attacked.
Western countries have since withdrawn their citizens from Niger. The Netherlands has announced that it will end its cooperation with the country.
2023-08-06 23:53:22
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