The African Union (AU) has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the junta in Niger to reinstall the country’s democratically elected government.
The AU warned of severe consequences if the military chiefs did not heed the call.
The African Union threat came after the US and the European Union (EU) issued similar rebuff of the coup leaders who sacked the civilian government of President Mohammed Bazoum, who was elected in 2021 in the first civilian handover of power.
The coup leaders met with senior civil servants to discuss how they would run the country and as the U.S. and the European Union threatened sanctions against the regime.
Recall that on Friday the Head of the Presidential Guard’s unit, Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani declared himself Niger’s new leader, saying insecurity, economic woes and corruption led him to seize power.
On the streets of the Nigerien capital, Niamey yesterday, things appeared to be returning to normal, though many in the international community were still on lockdown with hotels full of foreigners, many given instructions not to leave.
