Niger`s Military Rulers Close Country’s Airspace

Military Rulers in Niger say they are closing the country’s Air space even as the deadline set by the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) to return the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum to power expired.

In a video statement played on state television, Spokesperson for the now-ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, said Niger’s airspace was closed due to the threat of intervention from a neighboring country.

According to CNSP’s statement, the West African regional bloc has completed its preparations for an invasion of Niger with at least two members of the organization beginning the mobilization of their Armed Forces towards the border of Niger.

Niger’s military rulers have so far refused to cede power as requested by ECOWAS defense ministers, who set a Sunday deadline for the release and return to power of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected in February 2021.

ECOWAS military chiefs had agreed to a plan Friday for a possible military intervention to respond to the crisis, with the armies of countries including Senegal and Ivory Coast saying they were ready to participate.

The coup has been widely condemned by Western and African nations, though Niger’s military received support from their counterparts in Mali and Burkina Faso — both countries which saw military coups take power in the past three years.