By
Doris Oliver
Bola Tinubu who is the President Nigeria and the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States has convened another Summit of the Authority on the political situation in the Republic of Niger.
This was made known through a statement published in the West African Regional Bloc Website on Monday. The statement has it that “The Summit will hold in Abuja, August 10, 2023.”
“The ECOWAS Leaders will be considering and discussing the political situation and recent developments in Niger during the Summit.”
It was gathered that Niger’s military ruler announced on Sunday that they had closed the country’s airspace, warning that any attempt to violate it would meet 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,” says General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
The announcement came at the expiration of the ultimatum from the West African bloc ECOWAS for the military to hand back power to the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum due .
ECOWAS last Sunday issued Niger’s new military rulers with an ultimatum to stand down within the week or face possible military intervention. Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 when members of his own guard detained him at the presidency.
