ECOWAS imposes no flight zone on Niger Republic
Written by Joey Shekwonuzhibo on July 31, 2023
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has enforced a no-flight zone over the country.
The decision was announced yesterday by the ECOWAS, at an urgent meeting called by Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu following the increasing tension stirred by the military actors who are attempting to take over in Niger.
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 ECOWAS leadership 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.
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.
But in a swift reaction, the Niger coup plotters rejected the call and warns ECOWAS against military intervention, saying, they were determined to defend their homeland.
The members of the Nigerien Presidential Guard detained President Bazoum and later declared General Abdourahamane Tchiani as the nation’s new leader.
Tchiani, who has headed the Presidential Guard since 2011, says he was the new President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.
