Algeria has denied France permission to traverse its airspace for an impending attack on Niger. The state-owned Algerian radio station, citing sources described as “confirmed and reliable,” reported that “a military intervention in Niger is imminent, and the military arrangements are ready.” The sources further stated that “Algeria, which has always been against the use of force, did not accede to the French request for airspace passage to attack Niger, and its response was firm and clear.”
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reiterated that a military option to address the Niger crisis remains on the table. It stressed that the group “will use all available options if it perceives the coup leaders in Niger are manipulating it.”
Recently, the Defence Minister of Burkina Faso, Kasoum Koulibaly, in statements to “Sputnik,” revealed that his country is preparing to support Niger against the potential military intervention by ECOWAS. On the morning of July 27th, military personnel in Niger’s army announced the ousting of the nation’s president, Mohamed Bazoum, along with a border closure and the imposition of a curfew.
Niger, a former French colony, has remained one of the last allies of Western countries in the Sahel region. The country also possesses rich reserves of uranium, which France heavily relies on.
