Niger’s junta rejected a diplomatic mission from Ecowas and the AU on Tuesday, further escalating the standoff over the July 26 coup.
The junta, which has closed Niger’s airspace, denied permission to a joint mission from the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The mission was intended to restore constitutional order and reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
ECOWAS threatened military intervention if the junta does not comply with an Aug. 6 deadline to return power to Mr Bazoum.
– Welcoming Mali and Burkina Faso
The junta had already snubbed meetings with a senior U.S. envoy and another ECOWAS delegation that tried to negotiate.
U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland flew to Niamey on Monday. She was also denied permission to meet with coup leader Abdourahamane Tiani or with Bazoum, who is in detention.
Earlier, ECOWAS sent a mission to Niamey led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Nigerian military ruler, but Tiani also refused to see him.
The coup leader, in contrast, met on Monday with a joint delegation from Mali and Burkina Faso. Both neighbouring countries are ruled by military juntas and have pledged support for the coup in Niger.
“We will not accept military intervention in Niger. Our survival depends on it,” said Abdoulaye Maiga, a spokesman for Mali’s junta, appearing on Niger state television.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told French radio station RFI on Tuesday that the United States was backing ECOWAS efforts to restore order.
The United Nations said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly supported mediation efforts by ECOWAS.
ECOWAS defence chiefs agreed on Friday on a possible military action plan, which heads of state are expected to weigh up at their summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja.
The West African bloc has imposed sanctions on Niger and Western allies have suspended aid.
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