The African Union (AU) on Tuesday, said it has suspended Niger from participating in its activities with immediate effect, following the July 26 coup that saw the ousting of president Muhamed Bazoum.
The decision was reached shortly after a meeting of African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.
This is the latest sanction on Niger since the coup that was led by Nigerien army brigade and commander of the Nigerien presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tchiani, who arrested President Muhamed Bazoum and has kept him in detention since then.
Following the coup and ill-treatment of Bazoum, several Western countries began to cut aid to the country.
Last week, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said armed forces would be on standby to venture into Niger as a last resort, should the coup plotters fail to release and hand power back to Bazoum.
The continental bloc also said it was presently studying ECOWAS’s decision to deploy forces to Niger, and sternly warned against any interferences.
Part of the statement read:
“We are studying the ECOWAS decision to prepare forces for deployment in Niger, and the African Commission will evaluate its repercussions.”
“We strongly reject any external interference by any party or country in the affairs of the continent, including private military companies.”