The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has enforced a no-flight zone on Niger Republic over the military coup in the country.
The decision was announced today by the ECOWAS, at an urgent meeting following the military takeover in Niger.
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 on immediate financial sanctions over the coup and has given the junta a week to cede power, while noting that a use of force has not been ruled out.
This significant move is seen as a strong reaction to the recent ascendancy of the junta, which has stirred significant unrest in the country and poses a threat to the stability within the region.