France has rejected a request to use Algerian airspace for an operation in Niger, media reported, citing the country's joint defense headquarters.
According to an earlier report by Algerian radio, Algiers, which opposes any military interference in Niger supported by Paris, has responded "in the negative to a request from France to fly over its territory to attack Niger".
An unconditional supporter of a negotiated political solution to the crisis in Niger, Algiers has given a "firm and unequivocal" response to the French request for military aircraft to fly over its territory.
"Algeria has given a negative response to the French request to overfly national territory to attack Niger", announced Algerian Public Radio on the evening of August 21, referring to confirmed sources.
According to the radio, Paris then sent the same request to Morocco. After receiving flight plans for the military aircraft, the Moroccan authorities agreed.
Call for restraint and wisdom
After The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced that it had set a date for the dispatch of its troops to Niger, Algeria warned against a spiral of violence.
"At a time when ECOWAS's military intervention in Niger is taking shape, Algeria deeply regrets that recourse to violence has taken precedence over the path of a negotiated political solution peacefully re-establishing constitutional and democratic order in this brotherly and neighboring country," says a statement from Algerian diplomacy, published on August 19.
Advocating a "negotiated political solution", Algiers believes that a military intervention could bring "more problems" rather than solutions.
"Before the irreparable is committed, and before the region is caught up in a spiral of violence whose incalculable consequences no one can predict," the Russian Foreign Ministry called on "all parties to show restraint, wisdom and reason".
The July 26 coup ousting incumbent President Mohamed Bazoum was met with condemnation by ECOWAS. The bloc cut off financial aid to Niger, froze mutineers' assets in addition to banning commercial flights to and from the country.
In early August, ECOWAS leaders held a summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja. They agreed to field a reserve force to put pressure on the Nigerien military in order to reinstate Bazoum.