Coup: African Union suspends Niger Republic

The African Union has suspended Niger Republic over the ousting of the democratically elected government by a military junta.

The continental body made the announcement on Tuesday.

It disclosed that the suspension will remain in place until civilian rule is restored in the sahel nation.

The union also said it would assess the implications of any armed intervention in the beleaguered West Africa nation.

The Peace and Security Council “requests 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,” the bloc said, following strong differences on the matter.

Army officers had ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, prompting the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to threaten to use force to reinstate him.

The Economic Community of West African States — agreed to activate a “standby force” as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger.

It has said it is ready to act, even as it continues to pursue hopes for a diplomatic solution.

The AU last week held a meeting on the political impasse against a backdrop of differing views within the bloc over any military intervention.

The coup has ramped up international concerns over the Sahel, which faces growing jihadist insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.