The African Union (AU), has suspended the Republic of Niger from participating in all activities of the union, its organs and institutions until effective restoration of constitutional order in the country.
The AU, while announcing the adoption of the decision by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) at its 1168th meeting held on 14th August 2023, said the Council, recalled the Declaration on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government, adopted by the 16th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from 27th to 28th May, 2022.
The AU also said the Peace and Security Council further recalled the decision adopted by the 35th Ordinary Session of the defunct Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Algiers, Algeria, from 12th to 14th July, 1999; the Declaration on the Framework for an OAU Response to Unconstitutional Change of Government, adopted by the 36th Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Lomé, Togo, from 10th to 12th July, 2000 (the Lomé Declaration); and the Solemn Declaration of the 50th OAU/AU Anniversary adopted in Addis Ababa on 25 May 2013.
The AU added that the decision was taken in upholding the AU Constitutional Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, particularly Article 7 (g) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; while reiterating the AU zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, in line with Article 4(p) of the AU Constitutive Act.
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The AU reaffirmed the determination to silence the guns in Africa by the year 2030 and create conducive conditions for the realization of the AU Vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its people and representing a dynamic force in the global arena, as well as AU Agenda 2063.
The AU also called on member states and the international community, including bilateral and multilateral partners, at large to reject the unconstitutional change of government and to refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy to the illegal regime in Niger.
The AU further welcomed the communique of the Chairperson of the AU Commission released on 10 August, 2023 regarding the reported poor condition and detention of President Bazoum.
Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, has insisted on diplomatic solution to end the crisis in Niger.
Restating its position on diplomatic solution during a meeting with the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, the Community Parliament’s Ad-hoc committee on Niger stalemate, through a member of the Nigerian Delegation to ECOWAS Parliament and senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, disclosed that the position of the Parliament on how to handle the Niger republic stalemate remained unchanged.
Ndume stated that the position was informed by the grave implications of a military intervention in Niger, insisting there’s no alternative to diplomatic solution.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
