On Sunday August 6 2023, thousands of individuals who endorse the military coup in Niger gathered at a stadium in Niamey. This event coincided with the deadline stipulated by the West African regional coalition ECOWAS, requiring the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power.

A delegation from the ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) made their way to the stadium, which has a seating capacity of 30,000, receiving enthusiastic applause from their supporters. Many attendees proudly waved Russian flags and carried portraits of CNSP leaders.

The stadium, named after Seyni Kountche, the leader behind Niger's inaugural coup d'état in 1974, was nearly at full capacity, and the atmosphere exuded a festive spirit, as reported by journalists on the scene.

General Mohamed Toumba, one of the CNSP leaders, denounced in a speech those "lurking in the shadows" who were "plotting subversion" against "the forward march of Niger".

"We are aware of their Machiavellian plan," he said.

The protest aligns with the ultimatum established by ECOWAS on July 30th, urging the coup leaders to reinstate Bazoum.

However, up to this point, the generals who seized control in Niamey on July 26th have displayed no indications of being open to yielding.

On Friday, ECOWAS military leaders concurred on a potential military intervention plan in response to the crisis. Armed forces from countries such as Senegal and Ivory Coast expressed readiness to partake.

On Saturday, Nigeria's Senate, situated in the neighboring country, resisted the approach of the ECOWAS regional group. They implored the President of Nigeria, the current head of the bloc, to explore alternatives beyond the use of force.

Although ECOWAS can still progress, as final resolutions are reached through consensus among member nations, the warning issued on the eve of Sunday's deadline has cast doubts over the intervention's outcome.

While the coup has garnered widespread condemnation from Western and African nations, Niger's military received backing from their counterparts in Mali and Burkina Faso—two nations that have experienced military coups seizing power in the last three years.

As the ECOWAS deadline expired, Niger's military junta declared on Sunday the closure of the country's airspace.

Niger’s airspace was closed due to “the threat of intervention from a neighboring country,” said the spokesperson for the now-ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, in a video statement played on state television.

As per the CNSP's announcement, the West African regional coalition has finalized its arrangements for a potential incursion into Niger. At least two member states of the organization have initiated the mobilization of their armed forces, heading towards Niger's border.

Niger's military leadership has up until now declined to relinquish authority, as stipulated by ECOWAS defense ministers. This group had established a Sunday ultimatum for the reinstatement and return to power of the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, who had been elected in February 2021.