AU suspends Niger membership after coup

The African Union (AU) suspends Niger’s membership following a deadly military coup that toppled President Mamadou Tandja.

The military junta took control of the country after soldiers captured the country’s leader, along with his ministers on Thursday. It has now lifted a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed earlier and has cemented its full control on the uranium-rich country.

The AU’s Peace and Security Council said on Friday that it has condemned the coup and imposed sanctions on Niger. “As of today, Niger will not be represented in our activities,” said Mull Sebujja Katende, who presides over the AU council.

The ruling junta must also revert to the constitution in place before an August referendum which allowed Tandja to stay in office, potentially for life, the AU body said.

The junta has dissolved the government and appointed Salou Djibo as its leader. Djibo made his first public appearance on Friday just after coup rulers held their first meeting with senior officials of government ministries.

The junta said Tandja is being held at a military base in the capital.

This is while, thousands of people gathered outside the military barracks in the capital Niamey, to express support for the junta, shouting “Long live the soldiers” and “We are in your support,” AFP quoted the people as saying.

Niger has been embroiled in political crisis for nearly a year since Tandja, who was in power for more than a decade, launched his bid to extend his rule.