Niger closes airspace over ‘threat of intervention’ as junta defies deadline

Niger has closed its airspace following a "threat of intervention" as the junta defied the deadline from the West African bloc ECOWAS to reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum or face possible military action.

ECOWAS' weeklong ultimatum demanding the general to relinquish power ended at midnight on Sunday.

Niger's democratically elected President, Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 when members of his own guard detained him at the presidency.

“Faced with the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighbouring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday… for all aircraft until further notice,” the junta said in a statement released shortly before the deadline passed.

Any attempt to violate the country’s airspace would meet with an “energetic and immediate response”, the statement added.

Early Monday, there were no aircraft operating in Niger’s skies, according to the flight tracking website Flightradar24.

In a separate statement, the now-ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) said there had been a “pre-deployment in preparation for intervention” made by two Central African countries, without naming them, reports Channels TV.

“Any state involved will be considered co-belligerent,” it warned.

Thousands of coup supporters had gathered Sunday in the capital Niamey to cheer on the CNSP.