Niger Republic has been suspended by the African Union (AU), following the military coup executed by members of the presidential guard on July 26.
Announcing the suspension, the AU urged its members to watch their dealings with Niger and to avoid any action that might legitimize the junta.
The junta had overthrown the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, citing poor leadership and corruption that has exposed millions of Niger people to severe economic hardship.
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Diplomatic efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional order in the uranium-rich West African country have failed. The regional bloc issued a seven-day ultimatum to the junta on July 30, to reinstate Bazoum unconditionally or face military action.
Defiant, the junta led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani has proposed a three-year transition to civilian rule, but it was rejected by the ECOWAS leaders. The bloc announced last week that D-Day has been set for its military action, having activated a standby force.
The AU Peace and Security Council said in a communiqué on Tuesday that it had noted the decision to activate an ECOWAS standby force and asked the AU Commission to assess the economic, social, and security implications of deploying such a force.
The resolutions in Tuesday’s statement were adopted at a council meeting held on Aug. 14, it said.
The leaders of the AU additionally called upon the coup leaders to promptly release the duly elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been in detention since the coup, and to return to their military barracks.
The coup has raised concerns among Western allies and democratic nations in Africa. They are apprehensive that it might create an opportunity for Islamist factions operating in the Sahel region to extend their influence and provide Russia with a chance to enhance its presence in the area.
The Russian mercenary group – Wagner, is reportedly involved in the junta’s preparation to ward off any external attack. The group is active in Mali – another West African country under military rule.
The AU also said that it “strongly reject any external interference by any party or country in the affairs of the continent, including private military companies.”
The statement is expected to be a deterrent to France, which has been gearing up to defend its interest in Niger through military action. Niger is France’s top uranium supplier with a total supply of 17.9% between 2015 and 2020. The uranium export, which helps France to generate electricity, has been suspended by the junta.