The African Union on Friday condemned a military coup in Niger and demanded to restore constitutional order in the western African state.
The organization said in a communique that its chief Jean Ping is following the situation "with concern" and "condemns the seizure of power by force that took place in Niger."
Ping also "calls for the speedy return to constitutional order and affirms the readiness of the AU... to facilitate such a process."
The military launched an assault on the presidential palace in the capital where the government was meeting on Thursday. President Mamadou Tandja was captured and the constitution suspended.
The country has been in a major political crisis since August 2009, when Tandja amended the constitution to allow him to remain in office indefinitely.
CAIRO, February 19 (RIA Novostu)
