The African Union is reported to have rejected the proposed military intervention in Niger to reinstate Mohammed Bazoum, who was deposed in a coup on July 26, according to French publication Le Monde. Although the AU Commission initially supported the return to constitutional order, the continental body’s Peace and Security Council last week rejected the idea by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to send troops to Niger to face the forces led by Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military leader. ALSO READ: Niger coup leader says to hand over power in three years The AU Commission had also condemned the detention of Bazoum and his family, calling it “unacceptable.” It remains to be seen if the AU is divided over the Niger situation. The AU Peace and Security Council meeting last week which was described as “tense” and “endless” turned down ECOWAS’s proposed use of force against the coup leaders to get Bazoum back to the presidency, French newspaper Le Monde reported. While recalling our policy of zero tolerance towards unconstitutional changes of government, we have chosen not to support a military intervention in Niger, because it could lead to a bloodbath and cause more damage than exists today,” said an AU diplomat, quoted by Le Monde. It is reported the Peace and Security Council was supposed to communicate its decision in a press release on August 16, which hasn’t happened. ALSO READ: African Union hosts Niger talks ALSO READ: Niger military to prosecute former President for treason The position of the Peace and Security Council could make it hard for the ECOWAS to implement an intervention mission without the support of the AU, analysts say. Over the weekend, the military leader Tchiani warned that any military intervention would not be “a walk in the park”; and announced a three-year transition period. Tchiani said the military leaders were open for talks. The new development followed a visit by an ECOWAS delegation to the capital Niamey, where they met Bazoum.
