The United States has been in direct contact with the military junta that seized power in Niger. Juntta says neighboring countries are preparing an attack on the country.
In the night between Sunday and Monday, the deadline set by the West African Economic Community, Ecowas, which had been given to Niger’s military junta to restore power back to the president For Mohamed Bazoum.
However, no signs of bending were seen. On the contrary, the leaders of the military junta greeted their supporters with grand gestures and defiance at the stadium in the capital, Niamey.
A spokesman for the coup plotters said neighboring countries are planning an attack on Niger, and the country’s airspace is therefore closed.
Ecowas has previously sent military forces to problematic member countries, but so far the organization has not announced any other actions other than an extra meeting on the subject next Thursday. It is held in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
The prestige of the 15-nation Economic Community is at stake as it has threatened Niger’s coup d’état with possible armed intervention if power is not returned to the ousted president. However, two member countries, Burkina Faso and Mali, have announced their support for the Niger junta.
The closure of the airspace disrupted air traffic on a wider scale
Things were otherwise normal in Niger’s capital on Monday, but the closure of the airspace has naturally messed up air traffic on a wider scale.
Niger is more than twice the size of France, and many flight routes to other parts of the continent would normally pass through its airspace.
Niger is one of the poorest countries and has been dependent on financial support from others. The United States announced on Monday evening that it has suspended the flow of money to Niger.
According to the US State Department, it is difficult to say the exact amount, but at least one hundred million dollars worth of payments to Niger have been suspended.
Security, development, and police cooperation are also frozen for the time being.
Sanctions against coup d’etats have also been on display in Germany. On the other hand, the Italian foreign minister suggested that the time limit for restoring power should be extended.
Niger has the seventh largest uranium reserves in the world, so it has been an important strategic partner in Africa for the United States, Europe, China and Russia as well.
Sources: Reuters, AP