Breaking News: Niger Coup Faces More Sanctions from ECOWAS
The regional body of West African nations, ECOWAS, has intensified its sanctions on the coup leaders who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger Republic.
The bloc had earlier demanded the restoration of the democratically elected president within a week or face severe consequences, including possible military intervention.
However, the junta defied the ultimatum and declared that they would not tolerate any foreign interference in their affairs.
They also cut off diplomatic relations with Nigeria, Togo, France and the US, and closed their airspace to all flights.
ECOWAS convened a meeting on Thursday to review the situation and decide on further actions to resolve the crisis in the neighbouring country.
The spokesman of the Nigerian presidency, Ajuri Ngelale, told reporters on Tuesday that ECOWAS had imposed additional sanctions on the individuals and entities that were supporting or collaborating with the Nigerien junta. He did not give more details, but he said that the sanctions were implemented through the Central Bank of Nigeria.
More updates to follow…
