The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in a swift response to the military coup in Niger Republic, has enforced a no-flight zone over the country.
ECOWAS took the decision on Sunday at an urgent meeting following the increasing tension stirred by the military actors who are attempting to take over the restive West African country.
This significant move which includes air and land border closure is seen as a crucial reaction to the recent ascendancy of the junta, which has stirred significant unrest in the country and poses a threat to political stability within the region.
The leadership of the 15-member regional body believes that the imposition of a no-flight zone will help curb the junta’s influence and hinder any potential allies from providing aerial support, even as leaders of the coup fear that ECOWAS could stage an imminent military intervention in the capital of the Sahel country.
In addition to the no-flight zone, the regional body has agreed on immediate financial sanctions over the coup and has given the junta a week to cede power, while noting that a use of force has not been ruled out.
ECOWAS also insisted that President Mohamed Bazoum remains recognized as president of Niger, and called upon member states and the international community to uphold and respect these decisions, in an effort to help restore peace and stability in the republic.
Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily reported that the European Union (EU) has said it would not recognise Niger’s putschists who seized power last week.
It also said it was suspending security cooperation with the restive West African nation.
Recall that members of the elite Presidential Guard had detained President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger inside his palace in the capital, Niamey, early on Wednesday, July 26th.
The military, through its Spokesman, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, on Wednesday night, announced on state television that it had overthrown the government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
