Niger's Junta Closes Airspace as ECOWAS Ultimatum Passes

Niger’s junta closed the country’s airspace and accused foreign powers of preparing an attack, as the seven-day ultimatum imposed by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, expired on Sunday. In a televised address, coup spokesperson, Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane said "The National Council for the Safeguard of the Country is launching a vibrant appeal to its youth, the noble sons and daughters of our country, that they be ready to defend our country." Meanwhile, neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso — both run by juntas — have said intervention would be a “declaration of war” against them, too. On Monday, ECOWAS announced it would hold an extraordinary summit to discuss Niger on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria,