Niger’s military rulers announced Sunday that they had closed the country’s airspace, warning that any attempt to violate it would meet with an “energetic and immediate response.” The statement reads in part “Faced with the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighboring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday… for all aircraft until further notice,” the country’s new rulers. The announcement came as the deadline from the West African bloc ECOWAS for them to hand back power to the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum was due to expire.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc, warned that if the military junta does not stand down, it could face possible military intervention and gave coup leaders until Sunday to cede power. Should the junta remain in charge, the group he said it would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order,” including using force.
The bloc also went further, imposing a travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt, as well as for their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by the officials. France and the European Union also cut off financial aid to Niger following the coup.
On Sunday afternoon, thousands rallied in Niamey, Niger’s capital, to show their support for the junta and to voice their opposition against the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS. And the junta has also warned on state television that any military intervention would be met with “an immediate and unannounced response by Niger’s defense and security forces.”
Ahead of Sunday’s deadline, ECOWAS leaders met in Nigeria last week to organize a collective response to the coup and plan a potential military response, which the group has said is a last resort.
