Niger announced on Sunday the closure of its airspace “in the face of the threat of intervention which is becoming clearer from neighboring countries”, announced the soldiers who took power in Niamey.
“Faced with the threat of intervention which is becoming clearer from neighboring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday (…) until further notice”, indicates the press release which specifies that “any attempted airspace violation” will result in “a vigorous and instantaneous response”.
In another press release, the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP, which took power) affirms that a “pre-deployment for the preparation of the intervention has been made in two countries of Central Africa”, without specifying which. “Any state involved will be considered co-belligerent,” he adds.
Niger’s land and air borders with five neighboring countries were reopened on August 2, nearly a week after they were closed during the July 26 coup that overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum. These countries were Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali and Chad.
The ultimatum set on July 30 by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the soldiers who took power to restore President Bazoum to his duties, under penalty of armed intervention, must expire at midnight Niamey time (01 hour in Paris).