APA – Niamey (Niger) The embattled junta in Niamey has closed the country’s airspace hours after a post-coup ultimatum by the regional grouping Ecowas was supposed to expire.
Mali and Burkina Faso are determined to show their support for Niamey, which is threatened with military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States.
Following their joint communiqué of July 31, which followed the sanctions imposed by the regional organisation in the wake of the 26 July coup against Mohamed Bazoum, the military leaders of these two
West African countries sent a delegation from both countries on Monday morning, led by the Malian Minister of Territorial Administration and spokesman for the transitional government, as announced by the General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces.
The reasons for this trip were not specified. But it comes a day after the expiry of the ultimatum given to the National Committee for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) by ECOWAS for the release and
reinstatement of President Bazoum.
On Sunday 6 August, the Niger junta declared that it had observed a “redeployment of forces” from ECOWAS to “two Central African countries” to take part in the “war” against Niger.
“The CNSP calls national and international opinion to witness and affirms that any state from which military action is taken against Niger will be considered as a co-belligerent,” threatened the Nigerien authorities, announcing the closure of airspace from August 6, until further notice.
The Chiefs of Staff of ECOWAS met in Abuja from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 August to define the plan for a military intervention, which is not, however, the community organization’s first option.
AC/fss/APA