Niger was waiting on Monday for a response from the West African regional bloc after coup leaders ignored a deadline to reinstate the ousted president - a move the bloc has warned could lead to military intervention.
The Economic Community of West African States has said it will issue a statement on its next steps, responding to the junta'sThe bloc has taken a hard stance on the July 26 power grab, the region'sin 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.
An escalation in the standoff with ECOWAS would further destabilise one of the world's poorest regions, which is in the grip of aand battling an Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and forced millions to flee. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview published on Monday that ECOWAS should extend its deadline for the reinstatement of Bazoum.
Italy said on Sunday that it had reduced its troop numbers in Niger to make room in its military base for Italian civilians who may need protection if security deteriorates.and called on the United States and the international community to restore constitutional order.
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