Niger’s airspace was shut down on Sunday after coup leaders disregarded a deadline to reinstate the country’s ousted president.
Earlier, in the capital city of Niamey, thousands of junta supporters gathered in a stadium to celebrate the junta’s refusal to resign by Sunday despite international pressure.
The Sahel region, one of the poorest in the world, has been jolted by the seventh coup in West and Central Africa in the past three years. Niger is significant to the U.S., Europe, China, and Russia due to its wealth in uranium and oil and its central role in a war against Islamist militants.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) defense chiefs have agreed on a possible military action plan, including when and where to strike if deposed president Mohamed Bazoum is not released and reinstated by the specified date.
A junta representative announced on national television on Sunday evening that “Nigeria’s airspace is now closed in the face of a growing threat of intervention.” “Niger’s armed forces and all of our defense and security forces, with the unwavering support of our people, are prepared to defend the territorial integrity of our nation,” he added.
ECOWAS did not elaborate on Sunday’s deadline or its next steps.
Last week, Niger terminated its military pact with France, which has about 1,500 troops stationed in the country.
The Mali and Burkina Faso juntas have pledged to come to Niger’s defense if necessary, which could complicate the bloc’s military intervention.