The military junta that seized power in Niger has closed the countrys airspace until further notice, citing concerns over potential military intervention from neighbouring countries.This move comes after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) set a deadline for the junta to reverse their military takeover and reinstate the elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.BREAKING: Niger 🇳🇪– Airspace is closed again until further notice (23).– A pre-deployment for the preparation of the military intervention was conducted in two countries of Central Africa. Any country involved will be regarded as a co-belligerent (22). pic.twitter.com/cV7468KbKo— mansa 🇲🇱 (@mansam00sa) August 6, 2023Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 is currently showing a lack of aircraft activity in Nigers skies, reflecting the airspace closure.The ECOWAS, a coalition of West African nations, had earlier issued a warning that if President Bazoum was not reinstated by the designated deadline of 23:00 GMT on Sunday, it might be compelled to use force.As the deadline passed, the coup leaders in Niger organised sizeable displays of support in the capital city of Niamey.The Leadership in #Niger has closed the airspace whilst securing the country from the enemy!! pic.twitter.com/a0JiUhXpIK— African (@ali_naka) August 7, 2023Amadou Abdramane, a spokesperson for the so-called National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the governing council established by the coup leaders, announced the airspace closure in a statement read on national television.Abdramane stated in a televised address, “In the face of the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighbouring countries, Nigers airspace is closed from this day on Sunday… for all aircraft until further notice.”The CNSP expressed concerns about indications of a pre-deployment in preparation for intervention from two unnamed Central African nations. The council cautioned that any nation involved in such an intervention will be considered co-belligerent.“Nigers 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,” Abdramane said.The CNSP also warned that any violation of Nigers airspace would trigger an energetic and immediate response.We want diplomacy to work: ECOWAS tells Niger military in intervention threatThe Niger military assumed power after detaining President Bazoum on July 26, with Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani proclaiming himself as the leader of the country.The international community has widely condemned the coup, including countries like France, the European Union, the United Nations, and the United States.ECOWAS military leaders, following a crisis meeting in Nigeria, described detailed plans for a potential use of force on Friday. The aim remains to encourage a diplomatic solution, but the junta has been clearly notified that the window for reversing their actions is closing.“All the elements that will go into any eventual intervention have been worked out here, including the resources needed, the how and when we are going deploy the force,” Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, said.“We want diplomacy to work, and we want this message clearly transmitted to them [Nigers junta] that we are giving them every opportunity to reverse what they have done.”Nigers junta appears steadfast in their refusal to relinquish control, and in a defiant demonstration of support, thousands of supporters of the junta rallied at a stadium in the capital city of Niamey.Amid the pressure from ECOWAS, Niger has received support from the neighbouring countries of Mali and Burkina Faso – both suspended from the ECOWAS after their own military coups – who said that any military intervention against Niger would be seen as a declaration of war against them.Niger holds strategic importance to the international community due to its large uranium production, a critical resource for nuclear power, and its role as a Western ally in counteracting Islamist militants in the Sahel region in West Africa.
