Stiffening sanctions trail the military coup in Niger as the African Union (AU) Commission has suspended the country from the pan-African bloc pending the restoration of normal constitutional order.
The AU in a statement said it took the decision at a meeting of its Peace and Security Council on Tuesday, thus suspending Niger from its AU membership.
The council, whose deliberations dwelt on the situation in the West African country, decided “to immediately suspend the participation of Niger from all activities of the AU and its organs and institutions until the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country.”
The statement further stressed its “unequivocal condemnation” of the military coup that took place on July 26 in Niger, which resulted in the ousting of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum by a faction of military officers.
The council reaffirmed its full solidarity with the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through diplomatic means.
The statement said, “The council strongly rejected any external interference by any actor or any country outside the continent in the peace and security affairs in Africa.
“It also rejects engagements by private military companies in the continent in line with the 1977 OAU Convention for the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa.”
The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was the predecessor of the AU.
It urged the military to place the supreme interests of Niger and its people above all else and to immediately and unconditionally return to the barracks, and submit to civilian authorities consistent with the constitution of Niger.
The council also expressed its deep concern over the resurgence of military coups as it undermines democracy, peace, security and stability, as well as development in the continent, the statement added.
