Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the Ksar Zaatar neighborhood in western Nabatieh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The tower destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza includes media offices, including Al Mayadeen's bureau.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7

Niger's junta reopens airspace, PM hopes for deal with ECOWAS

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 4 Sep 2023 23:10
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

Niger's military has decided to reopen the nation's airspace after assuming control on July 26.

  • x
  • A file photo of Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger (AP)
    A file photo of Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger (AP)

The junta in Niger announced, on Monday, that it had resumed permitting commercial flights in the country's airspace. This airspace had been sealed off since July 26 when Nigerien military officers ousted President Mohamed Bazoum's government.

Why was Niger's airspace closed?

Niger's airspace was initially reopened on August 2 but was subsequently closed again on August 6 due to concerns about a potential invasion by the West African bloc ECOWAS.

ECOWAS had issued a threat to use force if President Bazoum was not reinstated, although no action had been taken on this threat as of yet.

The closure of the airspace resulted in the suspension of certain flights and the adoption of longer routes by Air France and other European carriers.

Niger is a vast country, more than twice the size of France, and the second-largest landlocked country in Africa, covering an expansive area of 1,270,000 square kilometers. Under normal circumstances, numerous flights across the African continent would traverse Niger.

The authorities in Niger did not provide an immediate explanation for their decision to reopen the country's airspace.

Read more: Path of military intervention in Niger gloomy, doomed to failure: FP

Related News

Ghanaian defense, environment ministers killed in helicopter crash

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso officially exit ECOWAS

PM aims for ECOWAS deal

Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, appointed by junta leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani, expressed hopes that Niamey would be able to strike a deal with ECOWAS.

He stated during a press conference, "We have not halted our communication with ECOWAS; we are maintaining these contacts. We are optimistic about reaching an agreement in the coming days."

However, he also emphasized the junta's readiness to defend itself if ECOWAS proceeds with its threat. He stated, "We are prepared for a potential attack at any moment, and all necessary preparations have been made. It would be an unjust war, but we are resolute in defending ourselves if such an attack occurs."

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, the current chairman of ECOWAS, has suggested that Niger's military leaders implement a nine-month transition period if they are genuinely committed to returning power to a civilian government. Algeria has proposed an even shorter six-month transitional period. While Niger's junta has not responded to these suggestions, they have stated that their rule will not extend beyond three years.

Read more: Niger junta accuses Macron of forcing ECOWAS invasion

Recent developments in Niger

In the latter part of last week, supporters of the junta in Niger's capital, Niamey, called for the withdrawal of the 1,500 French troops stationed in the country. Paris has thus far disregarded the junta's August 3 announcement that it had terminated its military agreements with France, citing the lack of legitimacy of Niger's military rulers and reaffirming its support for the restoration of President Bazoum's government as a pretext.

Niger's junta additionally issued an order to cease uranium exports to France, which it heavily relies on for its nuclear power.

The Republic of #Niger, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani and supported by its people, declared the immediate suspension of uranium and gold exports to #France on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/7F6sNJRJS2

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 1, 2023

Several African countries have experienced coups in recent years, including Gabon, where the government was ousted by military officers just last Wednesday. Three of Niger's neighboring nations -- Mali, Chad, and Burkina Faso -- are under military rule, as are Sudan and Guinea.

EU diplomats have stated that they are preparing sanctions against Niger's military leadership, with organizations backing the junta potentially facing sanctions as well. 

Read more: Niger and the African struggle against neo-colonialism

  • ECOWAS
  • Niger Coup
  • Junta
  • France
  • Niger

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during the inauguration of a monument in China's honor on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Maduro warns of threats, urges 'battle for truth' to defend Venezuela

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Politics

Netanyahu informed Trump before deadly attack in Doha: Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, during Rubio's visit, in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Monday, September 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu warns of Israeli isolation, calls to boost self-reliance

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide
Politics

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS