The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed a no-fly zone over Niger Republic in response to a military coup.
The decision was made today by the ECOWAS during an emergency meeting in response to the rising tensions in Niger caused by military actors attempting to seize power.
This huge decision is considered as a forceful reaction to the junta’s recent rise, which has caused significant discontent in the country and constitutes a threat to regional stability.
The ECOWAS leadership believes that the imposition of a no-flight zone will help curb the junta’s influence and hinder any potential allies from providing aerial support, even as leaders of the military coup fear that the regional body could stage an imminent military intervention in the capital of the Sahel country.
In addition to the no-flight zone, the regional body has agreed immediate financial sanctions over Niger coup, and has given the Niger junta a week to cede power, while noting that a use of force has not been ruled out.