The Nigerian government has renewed the suspension of commercial flights from Niger Republic to Nigeria and from Nigeria to the nation’s northern neighboring country.
This was part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) resolutions against Niger Republic, which on July 26, 2023 ousted its duly elected President, Mohamed Bazoum in a coup and replaced by the Military junta, General Abdourrahamane Tchiani.
The restriction included the directive that no commercial flight from Niger should overfly Nigerian airspace and no flight from any Nigerian state should overfly Niger’s airspace.
This directive (Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was contained in a letter titled: ECOWAS Restriction on the Republic of Nigeria, from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Aeronautical Information Services dated February 2, 2024 and signed by the Director of Air Traffic Services, Tayo John, on behalf of the agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive.
The letter stated: “In accordance with ECOWAS resolutions, all commercial flights from Niger to Nigeria, or from Nigeria to Niger, or from Niger overflying Nigeria, or from any state overflying Nigeria to Niger are suspended.”
Conversely, the letter added that, “These restrictions do not affect: (a)Overflight aircraft through Niger airspace; (b) Aircraft in a state of emergency and (c) Special flights.”
It directed further that “special flights are to obtain authorisation from the permanent secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace.”
The relationship between Nigeria and her neighbour Niger Republic may break down soon as the government of two nations continue to be at daggers drawn after the Nigerien democratic government was overthrown by the military.
In a latest statement by the Nigerien government, it alleged that Nigeria’s action since the change of guard in Niger was not representative of the Nigerian people but by a misguided few people in power acting the plot of some Western powers who meant no good.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu being the leader of the ECOWAS Council of Heads of States and Government was initially reported to have put the ECOWAS military unit (ECOMOG) force on red alert to invade Niger to wrestle power back from the military, an action which Burkina Faso and Mali said they would resist by standing with Niger to fight against.
Since the military takeover, various sanctions have been imposed on Niger by Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries and an attempt to get the sanctions lifted by ECOWAS Court was rebuffed.
Presently Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have announced their exit from the subregional body, a decision which Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries have refused to accept, claiming that for such decision to be legal it must follow a year notice to the body.
