An Extraordinary Summit of the Authority has been summoned by the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Bola Tinubu, in regards to the political situation in the Republic of Niger,
This was revealed in a statement released on the ECOWAS website on Monday.
“The Summit will hold in Abuja, on Thursday, August 10, 2023,” the statement announced.
The bloc intends to convene in order to strategize on steps to take following the recent Coup in Niger.
“The ECOWAS Leaders will be considering and discussing the political situation and recent developments in Niger during the Summit,” the statement read.
The bloc has already set a deadline to the new military leaders in Niger to hand over power back to the democratically elected, President Bazoum.
In response, Niger has issued a “no-fly” over its airspace in defiance to any and all ultimatums issues to them by ECOWAS.
“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,” a statement by the country’s new leaders read.
It will be recalled that, on July 26 2023, President Bazoum was ousted out of office by coup plotters.
Bazoum remains in custody till date.