Niger coup: ECOWAS leaders to meet on Thursday in Abuja

Another Extraordinary Summit of the Authority on the political situation in the Republic of Niger has been called by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is also the current Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to a Monday announcement on the website of the West African regional bloc, “the Summit will take place in Abuja, on Thursday, August 10, 2023.”

“The ECOWAS Leaders will be considering and discussing the political situation and recent developments in Niger during the Summit.”

According to Gistlover, Niger’s military leaders declared on Sunday that the nation’s airspace had been shut down and threatened anyone attempting to violate it with an “energetic and immediate response.

“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 country’s new rulers said in a statement.

The declaration was made just before the ECOWAS, the West African bloc, had set a deadline for them to restore power to President Mohamed Bazoum, who had been duly elected.

Last Sunday, ECOWAS gave Niger’s new military authorities one week to resign or face potential military intervention. On July 26, when members of his own guard detained him at the presidency, Bazoum was overthrown.