According to an official communique, the African Union's Peace and Security Council has suspensed Niger from the continental bloc, reiterating "its deep concern over the resurgence of military coups d'etat and unequivocally condemned the military coup d’état that took place on 26 July 2023 in Niger".
"In line with the relevant AU instruments, Council decided to immediately suspend the participation of the Republic of Niger from all activities of the AU and its Organs and institutions until the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country. Further, Council called upon all Member States of the AU and the international community including bilateral and multilateral partners, at large to reject this unconstitutional change of government and to refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy to the illegal regime in Niger," the document reads.
The Council also noted that it welcomes the communique of the Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS on the situation in Niger.
The July 26 coup ousting incumbent President Mohamed Bazoum was met with condemnation by ECOWAS. The bloc cut off financial aid to Niger, froze mutineers' assets in addition to banning commercial flights to and from the country.
In early August, ECOWAS leaders held a summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja. They agreed to field a reserve force to put pressure on the Nigerien military in order to reinstate Bazoum.