Western African countries announced today that they will hold a summit in Abuja, Nigeria, on Thursday to discuss the military takeover in Niger.
"The ECOWAS leaders will be considering and discussing the political situation and recent developments in Niger during the summit," said the organization.
This announcement came after Niger ignored the ultimatum deadline ECOWAS had made to the country's leadership.
ECOWAS had given Niger's coup leaders one week to reinstate the detained president, or the community would use "all measures," including military, to restore order in the African nation.
"In the event the authorities' demands are not met within one week, [ECOWAS will] take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force. For this effect, the chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately," the bloc stated on July 31.
The coup leaders in Niger, who ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July, closed airspace on Sunday just before the ultimatum was over, citing the threat of military intervention.
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard ousted and detained the country's President Mohamed Bazoum, closed the borders and imposed a curfew in the state "until further notice."
The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the president of the caretaker National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.