W African bloc to meet after Niger defies ultimatum
West African leaders will hold a summit on the crisis in Niger this week after the country's military rulers defied an ultimatum to restore the elected government or face possible military intervention. In its first official reaction since Niger ignored the deadline of midnight (2300 GMT) on Sunday to reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the ECOWAS regional bloc said it would meet in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Thursday. "The ECOWAS leaders will be considering and discussing the political situation and recent developments in Niger during the summit," the 15-nation bloc said on Monday. ECOWAS had issued its ultimatum at a previous summit in Abuja on July 30, warning it did not rule out the "use of force" in Niger. No foreign troops were visible on the streets of Niger's capital, Niamey, after the deadline came and went on Sunday. A source close to ECOWAS said an immediate military intervention to restore Bazoum was not being envisaged at this stage. Neighbouring Mali nevertheless said it and Burkina Faso – which have both been suspended from ECOWAS over their own military coups – were sending a joint official delegation to Niamey to show "solidarity (with) the people of Niger". They have said military intervention would be tantamount to a declaration of war. Niger's military leaders have closed the nation's airspace and on Monday its skies were clear of traffic, according to the flight tracking website Flightradar24. Italy urged ECOWAS to extend the deadline and seek a diplomatic solution, with a similar call from Germany. (AFP)