The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said its leaders would meet on Thursday over the crisis in Niger, where coup leaders ignored a deadline to reinstate the ousted president - a move the West African regional bloc warned could lead to military intervention.
"ECOWAS heads of state (will) hold another extraordinary summit on the political situation in the Republic of Niger," the 15-member bloc said in its first official reaction, after Niger ignored last night's deadline to reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
The bloc has taken a hard stance on the 26 July power grab, the region's seventh coup in three years.
Given its uranium and oil riches and its pivotal role in a war with Islamist militants, Niger holds economic and strategic importance for the United States, Europe, China and Russia.
Yesterday, as the deadline expired, the junta closed its airspace until further notice and said there had been a pre-deployment of forces in preparation for an intervention.
"Niger's armed forces and all our defence and security forces, backed by the unfailing support of our people, are ready to defend the integrity of our territory," said a junta representative in a statement on national television.
An escalation in the standoff with ECOWAS would further destabilise one of the world's poorest regions, which is in the grip of a hunger crisis and battling an Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and forced millions to flee.
ECOWAS defence chiefs agreed on possible military action plan if the detained president, Mohamed Bazoum, is not released and reinstated, although they said the operational decisions of when and where to strike would be decided by heads of states.
Regional unity is compromised by a promise from the ruling juntas in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso to come to Niger's defence if needed. Both countries were sending delegations to Niamey to show solidarity, the Malian army said on social media today.
African and Western allies have imposed sanctions and cut aid to Niger in attempts to pressure the junta to step down.
"There is a rather extraordinary alignment of the West, and of Africa... to condemn what is happening," French European Affairs Minister Laurence Boone said this morning.
"I hope that we will be able to restore democracy and the constitution without blood and in peace," she said on French television channel LCI.
France has warned against all travel in Niger.
In a statement on its website, the foreign ministry said: "French nationals in Niger should be extremely vigilant: it is essential to limit travel, to stay away from any gatherings and to keep themselves regularly informed of the situation".
Meanwhile, Mali and Burkina Faso are to send a joint official delegation in a show of solidarity with Niger.
"Burkina Faso and Mali are sending a delegation to Niamey," the Malian army said. "The aim: to demonstrate the solidarity of the two countries with the brotherly people of Niger."
