African Union called on Niger’s new junta to relinquish power to democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum within a fortnight on Saturday July 29. The pan-African organization joins a number of other international players, including the United States, the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States.
The African Union demanded Niger’s military “return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority” within 15 days as the EU intensified pressure on the coup leaders Saturday by suspending security cooperation with the jihadist-hit country.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the Presidential Guard since 2011, appeared on state television on Friday to declare himself the troubled West African country’s new leader.
The African Union and the European Union joined the chorus of international condemnation of the power grab, the latest to strike the Sahel region.
Niger’s neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso have both undergone two military coups since 2020, fuelled by anger at a failure to quash long-running insurgencies by jihadists linked to the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda.
The AU’s Peace and Security Council “demands the military personnel to immediately and unconditionally return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority, within a maximum period of fifteen (15) days”, it said in a communique following a meeting Friday on the coup.
It “condemns in the strongest terms possible” the overthrow of the elected government and expressed deep concern over the “alarming resurgence” of military coups in Africa.
The EU’s diplomatic chief Josep Borrell on Saturday said the bloc would not recognise the putschists and announced the suspension of security cooperation with Niger.
Borrell said the EU was ready to support future decisions taken by West Africa’s regional bloc, “including the adoption of sanctions”.
Leaders from the Economic Community of West African States will meet on Sunday in Abuja to discuss the coup, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said.
French President Emmanuel Macron will chair a defence meeting on the coup on Saturday, the presidency said.
France, Niger’s former colonial power, has 1,500 soldiers in the country.
Landlocked Niger is one of the world’s poorest nations, often ranking last in the UN’s Human Development Index.
It has had a turbulent political history since gaining independence in 1960, with four coups as well as numerous other attempts — including two previously against Bazoum.
The 63-year-old has been one of a dwindling group of elected presidents and pro-Western leaders in the Sahel as juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso turn away from traditional allies and towards Russia.
Malo Pinatel, with AFP
