The African Union, AU, suspended Tuesday August 22 Niger from various institutions and activities few days after the junta that seized power on July 26 announced a three-year transition. Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, who made himself the new leader of the West African country announced Saturday August 19 a three-year transition that will pave the way to civilian government. The junta is also under pressure from a regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to restore Bazoum or be removed militarily. Top military commanders of the regional bloc met in Accra, Ghana, last week and adopted a date for the military action that they stopped short to reveal. The AU however has opposed the military option and recommended a diplomatic approach to the crisis.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 23, 2023 13:47 UTC