African Union suspends Niger’s membership in wake of coup

The African Union (AU) suspended Niger from various institutions and activities Tuesday until the restoration of constitutional order following a recent political upheaval that saw the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum.
The AU urged its 55 member states to “reject this unconstitutional change of government and to refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy to the illegal regime in Niger.”
A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met Aug. 20 with Bazoum in a diplomatic push to tackle the crisis.
ECOWAS ordered the activation of its standby force Aug. 10 to restore constitutional order.