The military leaders in Niger Republic have officially reopened the nation’s airspace for all commercial flights. This announcement was conveyed by a spokesperson from the transport ministry on Monday, as reported by Reuters. The junta had initially closed Niger’s airspace on August 6, following their coup, citing concerns about potential military intervention from the West African regional bloc.
However, Reuters said the junta did not immediately give a reason for lifting the ban.
The closure had forced Air France and other European carriers to suspend some flights and take longer routes across the African continent.
Landlocked Niger is more than twice the size of France and many flight paths across Africa would normally pass above it.
The regional organization had issued a 7-day ultimatum to the junta, demanding the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum, who had been ousted on July 26, 2023.
In response to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) warning, the junta initially defied the ultimatum and subsequently closed its airspace indefinitely.
In the event that ECOWAS followed through with its threat to intervene militarily, Burkina Faso and Mali expressed their readiness to support Niger.
However, ECOWAS has shifted its focus towards diplomatic efforts after its initial threat failed to compel the military regime to comply.
The recent coup in Gabon, which occurred last week, further complicated the situation in Niger.
