Niger’s Military Regime Enforces Airspace Closure, Defying Calls for President’s Reinstatement
In a significant escalation of the political turmoil gripping Niger, the country’s military rulers have announced the immediate closure of its airspace, cautioning that any attempt to breach this prohibition would be met with a robust and swift response.
Facing what they perceive as an imminent threat of intervention, particularly evident through the mobilization of neighboring nations, the newly established rulers of Niger declared in an official statement, “In light of the escalating situation and the growing indications of potential external interference, Niger’s airspace shall remain closed indefinitely to all aircraft, effective this Sunday.”
The crisis in Niger has further intensified as the deadline set by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) for potential military intervention looms large. Ecowas has demanded that the leaders of the recent coup, responsible for the removal of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, step down from power. The international body is also advocating for the immediate release of Bazoum, who claimed in a recent op-ed in The Washington Post that he is being held hostage.
In response to the escalating tensions, Ecowas member states sealed their borders with Niger on July 30 and subsequently established August 6 as a critical deadline for the restoration of democratic governance. The organization has also expressed support for imposing punitive sanctions, with Nigeria, the current holder of the Ecowas rotating presidency, discontinuing electricity exports to Niger.
Compounding the risks of further violence in Niger, neighboring countries Mali and Burkina Faso have vowed to confront any foreign intervention against their fellow West African nation. France, which has maintained a contingent of approximately 1,500 troops in Niger to assist the previous administration in countering extremist groups, has signaled its willingness to support the use of force should the military junta fail to relinquish power.
Emphasizing the preference for diplomatic resolution, Abdel Fatau Musah, Ecowas Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, affirmed, “Our foremost objective is to foster diplomatic solutions, and we are unequivocally conveying this message to the junta leaders in Niger. We are affording them every opportunity to reverse their actions.”
Ecowas previously orchestrated a successful military intervention in The Gambia in 2017, deploying a force of 7,000 troops to remove President Yahya Jammeh, who had clung to power unlawfully after losing an election. While this operation yielded positive results, the organization’s past endeavors in Guinea-Bissau and Mali ended without achieving their intended outcomes.
France has pledged unwavering support for Ecowas’ chosen course of action following the expiration of the set deadline. Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, who currently leads Ecowas, is encountering mixed reactions from regional politicians. While some Nigerian senators advocate prioritizing diplomacy over immediate military action, other Ecowas politicians express varying degrees of support for intervention.
As the political impasse deepens, Niger’s military junta remains steadfast in its refusal to restore democratic governance and remains wary of foreign involvement. The ongoing crisis, exacerbated by stringent sanctions, threatens Niger’s ability to address the rising threat posed by extremist factions, thereby imperiling stability across the entire region.
With Ecowas facing a complex decision amid growing global pressure, opposition parliamentarian Thierno Alassane Sall cautioned against precipitous actions, asserting, “While we stand as members of Ecowas, we must exercise prudence and avoid granting a group of regional leaders the unchecked authority to ignite a potentially devastating conflict that could split West Africa in two.”
Check out the latest news in our Global News section
Stay updated on environmental data and insights by following KI Data on Twitter
