Niger’s military rulers were on Monday in defiance of an ultimatum to restore the elected government as the threat of possible military intervention was still on the table.
No foreign forces were visible on the streets of the capital Niamey after the deadline came and went on Sunday, but the ECOWAS regional bloc has not yet responded publicly to the coup leaders’ recalcitrance.
A source close to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said an immediate military intervention to restore President Mohamed Bazoum is not being envisaged at this stage.
But a summit of its member nations’ leaders is possible in the coming days to decide on the next steps, the source added, as nations like Italy and Germany spoke in favour of a diplomatic solution in the troubled west African nation.
Neighbouring Mali said it and Burkina Faso — who have both been suspended from the West African bloc ECOWAS over their own military coups — were sending a joint official delegation to Niamey to show “solidarity (with) the people of Niger”. They have said military intervention would be tantamount to a declaration of war.
Niger’s military leaders have closed the nation’s airspace and on Monday its skies were clear of traffic, according to the flight tracking website Flightradar24.
Italy urged ECOWAS to extend the deadline and seek a diplomatic solution, with a similar call from Germany.
“We support ECOWAS in its mediation efforts, which are still ongoing,” a foreign ministry spokesman told a press briefing. (Channels TV)
