AU Suspends Niger Republic Over Lingering Coup Issues 

The Peace and Security Council, a wing of the African Union, suspended the Niger Republic from it’s commission, due to the current political instability following the military coup organised in the country.

According to the AU, the suspension will only be called off when civilian rule and a democratic government are restored in the country.

The AU stated in a message, “The AU decides, in accordance with the relevant AU instruments, in particular the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the African Union Peace and Security Council, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, to immediately suspend the participation of the Republic of Niger in all activities of the AU and its Organs and institutions until the effective restoration of the Republic of Niger.”

Following a meeting between the ECOWAS envoy and the Niger military junta, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the ECOWAS special envoy, stated that the meeting was fruitful, claiming that neither party involved intends to wage war but rather expects a peaceful solution that will benefit both Niger and the continent as a whole.

Speaking with reporters earlier, after the meeting at Aso Villa in Abuja, General Abdulsalami stated that “As you are aware, the ECOWAS Heads of State have made me an envoy to the Niger Republic, and over the weekend, we were there to see the military people and discuss and find a way out of the lacuna we find ourselves in.”

“I must say that our visit to Niger was very fruitful. It has an avenue to start talking, and hopefully, we will get somewhere.

“We’ve started talking; they made their own points and I made mine, and I report to the ECOWAS chairperson, and he will now consult with his colleagues.

“Hopefully, diplomacy will see the better of the day. Nobody wants to go to war; it doesn’t pay anyone. Our leaders have said, If all fail, and I don’t think all will fail, we will get somewhere, we will get out of this mess.”

As it was proposed by Abdourahamane Tiani, the coup leader, he said the junta would return to civilian rule within three years, but it was challenged by ECOWAS, which rejected the move.