The African Union on Tuesday suspended Niger from all of its institutions and activities following last month’s coup “until the effective restoration of constitutional order.”
In a communique issued on Tuesday, the bloc noted that its decision to suspend Niger followed the failure of the military junta to hand over power to the democratically elected President, Mohammed Bazoum.
“The AU decides, in line with the relevant AU instruments, in particular, the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, to immediately suspend the participation of the Republic of Niger from all activities of the AU and its Organs and institutions until the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country.
“The AU in this regard, calls upon all Member States of the AU and the international community including bilateral and multilateral partners, at large to reject this unconstitutional change of government and to refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy to the illegal regime in Niger.”
It also commended the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States in its efforts to ensure a return to democratic rule in Niger.
“The AU commends the efforts of ECOWAS under the leadership of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and calls on AU Member States to fully implement the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS and endorsed by the PSC and requests the Commission, in consultation with ECOWAS, to regularly inform the Council on the progress being made on the implementation of the imposed sanctions.”
This is not the first time the AU will suspend a member state due to unconstitutional change of power. It had suspended Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso when soldiers took over in those countries. The move apparently did not deter other coup plotters on the continent.
The continental bloc had given putschists in Niger 15 days ultimatum to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
It also sought a meeting, alongside the UN and ECOWAS, with the junta leaders but was denied.
The AU “highly commends and supports the relentless efforts being deployed by ECOWAS towards the peaceful restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger; and requests the AU Commission to appoint and deploy High Representatives to foster the mediation efforts by the ECOWAS.”
However, the bloc requested the AU Commission to undertake an assessment of the economic, social and security implications of deploying a Standby Force in Niger and report back to Council.
ECOWAS at the last heads of state meeting ordered the activation and deployment of a standby force in Niger to restore constitutional rule if dialogue fails.
Defence chiefs of the subregional bloc met last week to finalise a D-day to militarily intervene in Niger.
On Tuesday, the AU called on its Member States and the international community including bilateral and multilateral partners, to reject the Niger junta and refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy to the regime.
It condemned the coup, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Bazoum and all other detainees, and respect for their human rights, including the protection of their physical health and moral integrity.
“Requests the AU Commission in close cooperation with the ECOWAS Commission to urgently compile and submit the list of members of the military junta and their military and civilian supporters of the coup d’état in Niger, including those involved in the violation of fundamental human rights of President Bazoum and other detainees for targeted sanctions, and the application of individual punitive measures,” the communique recommended.
Commending the leadership of ECOWAS, it called on AU Member States to fully implement the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS and endorsed by the PSC.
The AU encouraged the junta in Niger to cooperate with the efforts being deployed by ECOWAS and the AU towards a peaceful and speedy restoration of constitutional order while appealing to Nigeriens to remain calm, refrain from any action that may inflame the situation, and fully embrace a peaceful approach towards the restoration of constitutional order in the country.
The AU said it “strongly rejects any external interference by any actor or any country outside the Continent in the peace and security affairs in Africa including engagements by private military companies in the continent.”
The Punch/ Premium Times
