The African Union has rejected the use of force in Niger after a contentious 10-hour meeting of its peace and security council, Le Monde reported Wednesday, citing several diplomats who were present.
The decision, which is expected to be
formally announced later Wednesday, will boost the military junta that deposed
President Mohamed Bazoum on January 26 and makes a military intervention by
Niger’s West African neighbors less likely.
The ECOWAS regional bloc voted last week to
prepare a “standby force” to restore constitutional democracy in Niger, and the
group’s military chiefs are set to meet Thursday and Friday in Accra, Ghana,
for initial planning.
When A.U.’s peace and security council met
Monday over whether to endorse the ECOWAS force, sources described the meeting
as "tense," "endless," and "more than ten hours,"
Le Monde said.
While rejecting military action, the council
voted to suspend Niger from the African Union.
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