“In the face of the threat of intervention, which is becoming increasingly apparent through the preparations of neighboring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday,” the junta announced in a statement.
They warn that any attempt to breach it will be met with a “forceful and immediate response”.
On Sunday, the deadline that Ecowas, the West African Economic Cooperation Organization, has given the junta in Niger to restore civilian rule and release President Mohamed Bazoum expires.
The popularly elected president has been imprisoned in his residence since the military coup on July 26.
Ecowa’s military chiefs of staff have agreed on a plan for a possible intervention to respond to the military coup, the latest of several to hit the Sahel region since 2020.
But the coup plotters in Niger show no sign of giving up and have vowed to respond immediately to any military intervention.
While Ecowas has not ruled out military intervention, two of the member states, Mali and Burkina Faso, have said in a joint statement that any military intervention against Niger will be considered a declaration of war against them.
Former colonial power France, which has said it will firmly support any measures taken after the deadline, announced on Sunday that development aid and budget support to Burkina Faso would be withdrawn.