Italy urges ECOWAS to extend Niger ultimatum

Italy has advised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on what to do next as the  Republic of Niger’s military junta’s deadline for the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum has passed

Antonio Tajani, the foreign minister of Italy, stated to the newspaper La Stampa on Monday during a brief press conference that the military junta’s deadline needed to be extended.

He also hoped that the ECOWAS would pursue diplomatic solutions to the problems rather than resorting to military force.

“Diplomacy is the only option. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ultimatum, which was set to expire at midnight yesterday, should be extended today, Tajani reportedly said.

According to earlier information from Gistlover, Niger shut down its airspace on Sunday until further notice due to the alleged threat of military intervention from the West African regional bloc.

The threat was made public after coup leaders turned down a deadline for the reinstatement of Mohammed Bazoum, the country’s deposed president who is still being held in custody.

Earlier, thousands of junta supporters flocked to a stadium in the nation’s capital, Niamey, to applaud the group’s decision to defy pressure to resign by Sunday following the coup on July 26.