The African Union has criticized a recent “wave” of military coups that has resulted in the suspension of an unprecedented number of member nations, according to a senior official speaking on the final day of the bloc’s annual summit on Sunday. ayokinews.com reports
The putsches, as well as the AU’s ties to Israel and its response to a grinding war in Ethiopia’s north, were among the main topics expected to be discussed at the summit.
Burkina Faso became the fourth African country to be suspended by the AU less than two weeks before the summit convened on Saturday, when dissatisfied soldiers deposed President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.
Guinea, Mali, and Sudan are also on suspension at the moment.
“Every African leader in the assembly has condemned unequivocally… the wave of unconstitutional changes of government,” Bankole Adeoye, head of the AU’s Peace and Security Council, told a press conference on Sunday.
“Do your research: At no time in the history of the African Union have we had four countries in one calendar year, in 12 months, been suspended,” Adeoye said.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, leader of the African Union Commission, spoke to African foreign ministers before the meeting, denouncing a “worrying resurgence” military coups on the continent.
However, the AU has been accused of being inconsistent in its approach, particularly in not banning Chad when a military council seized power following the death of longstanding President Idriss Deby Itno, on the battlefield in April, 2021.
While Adeoye praised the African Union for using sanctions to punish coup leaders, critics say the organization has to be more proactive in preventing coups.
“It is only when crisis hits that we say, ‘Gosh, how come this country is falling apart like this so quickly?'” Solomon Dersso, founder of the AU-focused Amani Africa think-tank, told AFP.
Source (Credit): AFP
