French airline Air France has extended the suspension of flights to Burkina Faso and Mali until September 10 due to the recent coup in Niger, the BMFTV broadcaster reported, citing the company's statement. PICTURE: REUTERS
French airline Air France has extended the suspension of flights to Burkina Faso and Mali until September 10 due to the recent coup in Niger, the BMFTV broadcaster reported, citing the company's statement.
In response, the Malian authorities have revoked Air France's permission for flight operations between Paris and Bamako, citing an alleged violation of the agreement terms, the report said.
On August 6, the coup leaders in Niger closed the country's airspace against the background of the expiration of the deadline set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and citing a threat of military intervention by the bloc.
The next day, media reported that Air France had suspended flights to Burkina Faso and Mali until August 11.
The measure was extended several times.
A coup took place in Niger on July 26. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Following the mutiny, ECOWAS suspended all financial aid to Niger, froze rebels' assets and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country.
West African military chiefs were set to meet on Thursday in Ghana to coordinate a possible intervention aimed at reversing Niger's coup, AFP reported.
The meeting of the top brass came after fresh violence in the insurgent-hit country, with jihadists killing at least 17 soldiers in an ambush.