The African Union (AU) suspends the membership of Niger
The African Union (AU) suspends the membership of Niger
The African Union (AU) has suspended Niger's membership in the continent's largest institution; that being a continuation of the restrictions and pressures against that West African country following the military coup last month. The decision was announced yesterday Tuesday, at the end of the meeting of the Security and Peace Council of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia where the headquarters of the AU are located. In addition, the AU has said that it strongly opposes any foreign intervention, including the military, in the internal affairs of African countries. It has also said that it is investigating the proposals of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to find a solution to the Niger crisis.
The AU statement stated that, "We appreciate the ECOWAS decision to prepare forces to be sent to Niger, and the AU Commission will weigh the effects and consequences of that decision (of a military attack on Niger)." The ECOWAS community has threatened to take military action to reverse last month's move to oust President Mohamed Bazoum if the talks fail to achieve the intended goal. ECOWAS Conference Meanwhile, ECOWAS has rejected the Niger military administration's proposal to hold elections within three years, intensifying a political crisis that could lead to military intervention, if no agreement is reached following the July coup. The leader of the Niger revolution has promised to return the West African nation to civilian rule within three years. General Abdourahamane Tchiani made the announcement after meeting with negotiators from the West African regional community ECOWAS in the capital, Niamey.
