The West African nation of Niger is on edge with its neighbours threatening war depending on how the military coup plays out. A regional bloc of 15 nations, including Nigeria and Ghana, says it could intervene if the coup leaders don’t hand back power to the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. Other neighbours – including Burkina Faso and Mali – have said they’d treat any outside military intervention as “a declaration of war” against them. Niger’s former colonial power France and the European Union have already suspended aid to the country, but the US is still trying to negotiate with coup leaders. The West is worried the military wants to forge closer ties with Russia, forcing French and US troops out of the country. The coup leaders have closed the airspace over Niger to thwart foreign players.