Niger reopens airspace weeks after closure

The Nigerien military junta has on Monday to reopen its airspace to commercial planes, which had been banned since August 6.

“The airspace of the Republic of Niger is open to all national and international commercial flights”, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Transport, quoted by the Niger News Agency (ANP), stressing that ground services had also resumed.

“Airspace is still closed to all operational military flights and other special flights, which are only authorised subject to prior authorisation from the competent authorities”, he added.

Barely a month ago, Niger closed its airspace “in view of the threat of intervention from neighbouring countries”, as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) vowed military intervention to restore the elected president Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown by a coup d’état on 26 July.

Niger has been struggling with ECOWAS sanctions aimed towards the restoration of civilian administration.

The UN has, meanwhile, warned that regional sanctions and border closures are “significantly affecting Niger’s supply of vital food and medical supplies.”