Italy has requested that the Economic Community of West African States extend the deadline for the reinstatement of Niger’s ousted president.
This advice was given in an interview on Monday by Antonio Tajani, the foreign minister of Italy.
“The only way is the diplomatic one. I hope that the ultimatum of the Economic Community of West African States, which expired last night at midnight, will be extended today,” Tajani said during the interview.
Niger allegedly temporarily closed its airspace beginning Sunday due to worries about possible military intervention from the West African regional body.
President Mohammed Bazoum, who is still being held captive, was supposed to be restored by the date set by the coup leaders, but they failed to do so.
Prior to this, a sizable crowd of junta supporters assembled in the nation’s capital, Niamey, in a stadium to demonstrate their support for the decision to defy calls to stand down by Sunday following the takeover of power on July 26.
