The African Union’s (AU) Peace and Security Council announced Tuesday that Niger has been suspended from participating in all AU activities following a military coup in the country. The suspension will remain in effect until Niger’s constitutional order is fully restored. The council strongly denounced the recent coup in Niger and appealed to AU member states to reject Niger’s military junta.

As per the communiqué, the Peace and Security Council decided:

[I]n line with the relevant AU instruments, in particular, the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, to immediately suspend the participation of the Republic of Niger from all activities of the AU and its Organs and institutions until the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country.

The council formally recognized ECOWAS’ resolution to establish a standby force and requested that the African Commission conduct a comprehensive investigation into the multifaceted implications—including social, economic, and security considerations—associated with the deployment of this force within Niger.

Furthermore, the council asked ECOWAS and the African Commission to produce a list of military junta members and civilians who support it. The communiqué said should also include “those involved in the violation of fundamental human rights of President Bazoum and other detainees for targeted sanctions.”

The AU also maintained its strong support of ECOWAS and the economic penalties imposed on Niger.

This decision follows ECOWAS’ rejection of the junta’s proposed three-year timeline for the organization of democratic elections. ECOWAS Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah stated Monday that the bloc’s disposition towards the junta remains unchanged. The basic criteria for resolution were the immediate release of the president by the military junta and the restoration of constitutional order in Niger. On the other hand, junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani expressed willingness to engage in further discussions.