Italy has advised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on what to do following the expiration of the deadline for the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum by the military junta in the Republic of Niger.
In a brief media chat on Monday, Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani told La Stampa newspaper that the ultimatum given to the military junta needed to be extended.
“The only way is the diplomatic one. I hope that the ultimatum of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which expired last night at midnight, will be extended today,” Tajani reportedly said.
It could be recalled that Niger closed its airspace on Sunday until further notice over the reported threat of military intervention from the West African regional bloc.
The threat was reported after coup leaders rejected a deadline to reinstate the country’s ousted president, Mohammed Bazoum, who is still being detained.
Earlier, thousands of junta supporters trooped to a stadium in Niamey, the capital, cheering the decision not to cave into external pressure to stand down by Sunday following the July 26 power grab.
