Niger Military junta reopen airspace after seizing power in coup

The military junta in Niger, who seized power in a coup over a month ago, has made the decision to reopen the country’s airspace.

This reopening applies to all types of aircraft, both civil and commercial, and was officially announced on Monday.

Initially, the closure of Niger’s airspace was implemented following the removal of the democratically elected president in the July 26 coup.

The purpose behind this was to prevent intervention from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

ECOWAS had issued a threat to use force in order to reinstate Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, who is currently confined to his home.

Under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tchiani, commander of the elite Presidential Guard responsible for the coup, control has been established and a caretaker government with a maximum duration of three years has been put in place.

Niger, a Sahel nation with approximately 26 million inhabitants and one of the world’s most impoverished populations, was among the last democratic partners of the United States and Europe in the region commonly referred to as the “coup belt.”

In Brussels, the European Union is actively preparing sanctions against the individuals involved in the coup, targeting key figures in the junta, according to diplomats.

Additionally, organizations supporting the new military leadership could also face sanctions from the EU.