Niger's Military has closed the country's airspace and accused foreign powers of planning an attack, defying a deadline set by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup leaders installed Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani as head of state, adding to the complexity of the Sahel region, which is already grappling with military takeovers, Islamic extremism, and a shift towards Russia and the Wagner mercenary group. The junta has sought assistance from Wagner while cutting security ties with France. Algeria and Chad oppose the use of force, and Mali and Burkina Faso consider it a "declaration of war." ECOWAS's next steps are unclear.

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