African Union asks Niger’s military to ‘return to their barracks’

The African Union has demanded the military in Niger “return to their barracks

After seizing control in a coup in the country of Niger, which has been plagued by jihadist activity, the African Union has asked that the military “return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority” within 15 days.

Following a meeting on the Niger coup on Friday, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council issued a declaration demanding that the military troops “immediately and unconditionally return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority, within a maximum of fifteen (15) days.”

It expressed extreme worry over the “alarming resurgence” of military coups throughout Africa and “condemns in the strongest terms possible” the toppling of the elected government and its president Mohamed Bazoum.

After Bazoum was taken into custody on Wednesday, the coup plotters replaced him with General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who has been in charge of the Presidential Guard since 2011.

Although they justified the coup as a reaction to the country’s declining security, the international community denounced it as a power grab.