Niger’s coup leaders have taken a defiant stance by shutting down the country’s airspace after rejecting an ultimatum from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum or face the threat of military intervention.
The announcement, made late on Sunday, coincided with a massive gathering of coup supporters at a stadium in Niger’s capital, Niamey, showing their support for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the group that seized power.
A CNSP spokesman Amadou Abdramane, cited the increasing threat of military intervention from neighboring countries within Central Africa as the reason for closing the airspace.
“In the face of the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighbouring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday … for all aircraft until further notice.
“Niger’s 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.
While specific details of the pre-deployment of forces were not disclosed, the CNSP emphasized its readiness to defend Niger’s territorial integrity with the support of its armed forces and the people.
The coup in Niger followed months of tension between President Mohamed Bazoum and his chief guard, revolving around the leader’s attempts to assert his authority and independence from his predecessor.
President Bazoum’s actions, including strengthening military cooperation with France and the United States, limiting the autonomy of army commanders, and launching anti-corruption initiatives, created opposition from some influential figures, particularly in the oil sector.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, who had served as the head of guard under former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou for a decade and continued under Bazoum’s presidency, plotted the coup, securing the loyalty of certain military commanders to ensure the plan’s success.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) notes that Issoufou was elected as the president in 2011, just a year after a military coup in Niger.
Throughout his tenure, he earned praise for his commitment to democracy and good governance, voluntarily stepping aside in 2021 after serving two terms to set the stage for the first-ever democratic transition of power in Niger since its independence.
The situation remains tense in Niger, with the CNSP’s decision to close the airspace further escalating the standoff with ECOWAS which had given an ultimatum to the coup leaders, demanding the reinstatement of the deposed president or face potential military intervention.
However, there have been calls for the regional bloc to exercise restraint and refrain from using force to resolve the crisis and neighboring countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, which are also governed by military administrations, have warned that any attack on Niger will be perceived as an attack on them too.
As the situation unfolds, the eyes of the world are on Niger, hoping for a resolution that leads to stability, unity, and prosperity for the nation and its people.
