The Nigerian government has imposed a no-fly zone on all commercial flights between Nigeria and Niger Republic, following the military coup that toppled the democratically elected president of Niger in July 2023. The move is part of a series of sanctions agreed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to pressure the junta to restore constitutional order and respect human rights.
The no-fly zone, which took effect on August 3, 2023, applies to aircraft departing from or arriving at airports within the Niamey Flight Information Region (FIR), which covers the entire airspace of Niger. The only exceptions are aircraft in a state of emergency, over-flight aircraft passing through Niger airspace, and special flights authorized by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, according to a statement by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
NAMA said the suspension of flights can only be lifted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, with approval from the Presidency and ECOWAS. The agency also said it has transitioned the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued on August 2, 2023, into an Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC), reiterating the no-fly zone and its conditions.
The flight ban is expected to have significant economic and social impacts on both countries, as they share a long border and have strong trade and cultural ties. According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Niger was Nigeria’s top export destination in the fourth quarter of 2022, accounting for 40.5 percent of the total exports. The main export items were mineral products, vehicles, aircraft, vessels, and associated transport equipment.
The flight ban will also affect the movement of people, especially Nigeriens living in Nigeria and Nigerians living in Niger. According to the International Organization for Migration, there were about 1.2 million Nigeriens in Nigeria and 138,000 Nigerians in Niger as of 2020. Many of them rely on air travel for business, education, health, and family visits.
The flight ban is not the only measure taken by ECOWAS to isolate the Nigerien junta, which calls itself the National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy and the Rule of Law (CNRDRL). The regional bloc has also closed land borders, frozen financial assets, and imposed travel bans on the coup leaders and their associates.
The coup, which occurred on July 26, 2023, was the fourth in Niger’s history and the second in a decade. It came after months of protests against the former president, Mahamadou Issoufou, who was accused of corruption, nepotism, and repression. The CNRDRL said it acted to save the country from chaos and restore democracy. It has promised to organize a transition period and hold free and fair elections but has not given a timeline.
The international community, including the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States, has condemned the coup and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Issoufou and other detained officials. They have also urged the junta to respect human rights and engage in dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and credible return to civilian rule.
Despite the challenges posed by the flight ban and other sanctions, some analysts believe that there is still room for negotiation and cooperation between Nigeria and Niger, especially on issues of common interest such as security, development, and regional integration. They also hope that the pressure from ECOWAS and other partners will help to expedite the transition process and restore stability and democracy in Niger.
Source: Business Day
