Airspace reopened, what does the military government hope for?

Niger is seeing some positive moves from the military government.

(09.05) Thủ tướng Niger do chính quyền quân sự bổ nhiệm, ông Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, hy vọng nước này sớm đạt thỏa thuận với ECOWAS. (Nguồn: AFP)

Niger's military-appointed Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine hopes the country will soon reach an agreement with ECOWAS. (Source: AFP)

On September 4, the official news agency ANP (Niger) reported that the country has reopened its airspace, nearly a month after imposing a flight ban in July.

“The airspace of the Republic of Niger has reopened to all domestic and international commercial flights,” a Niger Transport Ministry spokesman said.

However, Niger's airspace remains closed to all active military flights and other flights require permission from relevant authorities.

Previously, after the coup on July 26, the leaders of the coup forces closed Niger's airspace before temporarily reopening it on August 2. However, four days later, this decision was reversed after countries in the region threatened military intervention to restore civilian rule.

Also on September 4, Niger's Prime Minister appointed by the military government, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, said he saw hope for an agreement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“We are still in constant contact with ECOWAS and we are very hopeful that we will reach an agreement in the coming days,” Zeine said in the capital Niamey.

ECOWAS has previously imposed sanctions on Niger after the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum. The regional body has also threatened military intervention if negotiations fail to restore civilian rule.

Saying that “contacts are underway that will allow the rapid withdrawal of French forces”, Mr Zeine also affirmed that Niger wanted to “maintain cooperation with a country with which we share many things”.

Tensions between Niger and France, its former colonial power and ally in the fight against jihadist rebels, have increased following the coup.

Paris has sided with the democratically elected leader, refusing to recognise the coup, while ignoring announcements to cancel military agreements and threats to expel ambassadors from the military government.

France currently has around 1,500 troops in the Sahel country, many of them deployed at an air base near the capital Niamey.

Immediately after the coup, tens of thousands of people rallied outside the base over the weekend to demand they leave, responding to calls from the pro-coup civic coalition.

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