The African Union announced on Tuesday that it had suspended Niger, with the suspension set to remain in place until civilian governance is reinstated in the country.
Additionally, the AU expressed its intention to evaluate the consequences of any potential armed intervention in Niger, a nation facing significant challenges in the Sahel region.
The Peace and Security Council of the AU has tasked the AU Commission with assessing the economic, social, and security implications that would arise from deploying a standby force in Niger. The results of this assessment will be presented to the Council, as the issue of intervention in Niger has led to divergent opinions within the bloc.
The recent political upheaval in Niger occurred when military officers orchestrated the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. The response from the West African regional organisation ECOWAS, or the Economic Community of West African States, was to threaten the use of force to reinstate Bazoum.
ECOWAS has prepared to activate a "standby force" as a last resort to restore democratic governance in Niger. While the possibility of military intervention looms, diplomatic solutions remain under consideration.
The African Union's recent meeting addressed the ongoing crisis in Niger, revealing the differences of opinion within the organisation concerning potential military involvement. The situation has raised international concerns, particularly regarding the escalating jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel region, which have affiliations with groups like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Niger's recent coup adds to a trend of political instability in West Africa, with the country becoming the fourth in the region since 2020 to experience a coup, following Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali. The leaders of the coups in Burkina Faso and Mali have issued strong warnings that any external military intervention in Niger would be perceived as a "declaration of war" against their respective countries.
This coup marks the fifth in Niger's history since gaining independence from France in 1960. The 2021 election of Mohamed Bazoum was a significant milestone, as it represented the nation's first peaceful transition of power.
However, the aftermath of the recent coup has raised international concerns about Bazoum's well-being, as he and his family have been detained at the presidential residence since the events unfolded.
