The coup leaders in Niger have barred UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, and foreign groups from functioning in military “operation zones.”
According to AFP, the Interior Ministry announced this on Thursday.
President Mohamed Bazoum was deposed on July 26 in a military coup orchestrated by Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former chief of Niger’s presidential guard.
ECOWAS leaders stated that all alternatives for a peaceful end to the issue would be considered, and they ordered the activation of an ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.
World leaders also denounced a coup attempt by members of the presidential guard against Bazoum.
However, a government statement that was carried on national radio stated:
“Due to the current security situation and operational commitment of the Nigerien armed forces, the ministry informs international organisations, national and international NGOs and UN agencies present in Niger that all activities and or movements in the zones of operations are temporarily suspended.”
Meanwhile, the junta announced in a statement that domestic flights had resumed and that several state institutions, including the Constitutional Court, had been reinstated. According to Reuters, however, land and air crossings remain closed.
According to a Reuters correspondent, trucks, automobiles, and motorcycles were delayed in huge lines at Gabon’s border with southern Cameroon on Thursday. Laundry lines were placed between automobiles at a Kye-Ossi crossing.
cc: Punch Ng
