NIAMEY, Niger ¨C West African leaders have scheduled a summit for Thursday to discuss the Niger junta¡¯s rejection of an ultimatum to reinstate the ousted president, while the United States has sent a top official to Niger¡¯s capital Niamey to push for a return to democracy.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had told leaders of the July 26 coup to stand down by Sunday or face a possible military intervention.
But the junta, under self-declared head of state Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, former commander of Niger¡¯s presidential guard, instead closed the airspace and pledged to defend the country.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.