AU suspends Niger until restoration of constitutional order

The African Union, AU, suspended Tuesday August 22 Niger from various institutions and activities few days after the junta that seized power on July 26 announced a three-year transition.

Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, who made himself the new leader of the West African country announced Saturday August 19 a three-year transition that will pave the way to civilian government.

The AU in a statement urged its member States to “reject this unconstitutional change of government and to refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy to the illegal regime in Niger.”

The continental organization also indicated that the move is a direct result of the recent military coup that raised concerns about the state of democratic governance. The junta is also under pressure from a regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to restore Bazoum or be removed militarily.

Top military commanders of the regional bloc met in Accra, Ghana, last week and adopted a date for the military action that they stopped short to reveal. The AU however has opposed the military option and recommended a diplomatic approach to the crisis.