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 on 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 make 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 on 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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