THE African Union suspended Niger from all of its institutions and activities today “until the effective restoration of constitutional order.”

The suspension follows the overthrow of president Mohamed Bazoum by a military group and new warnings from the United Nations about the humanitarian impact of the coup. 

The leaders of the 55-nation bloc froze Niger’s membership as Mr Bazoum and his family remained under house arrest in the capital Niamey.

The announcement of the move was the first public communication from the AU since it met earlier this month to discuss the situation in Niger. 

The AU council called on all member states and the international community to reject the country’s “unconstitutional change of government and to refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy to the illegal regime in Niger.”

The AU commission and the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) have threatened sanctions against the new military rulers and their supporters, including those involved in violating the human rights of Mr Bazoum and other detainees.

The west African bloc, which has struggled to beat back a string of coups in recent years, has threatened to use force if Mr Bazoum is not restored to power, but the deadline for his reinstatement came and went without action. 

An Ecowas delegation visited Niamey at the weekend, but officials say talks have yielded little and the junta is ploughing ahead with its own plans, promising to restore the country to constitutional rule within three years.

West African nations rejected this pledge by new military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani and they continue to consider military action against Niger.

The AU has not indicated whether it would support the use of military force.

Meanwhile, humanitarian organisations warned on Monday that more than two million Nigerien children are now in urgent need of material and medical assistance.

A statement from the UN children’s fund Unicef said that there was now severe malnutrition among youngsters in Niger and that the number of malnourished infants would probably increase if food prices rise further and the economic recession hits families and their incomes.

After urging the international community to make greater efforts to speed up the delivery of children’s vaccines to Niamey, Unicef called on the parties seeking to resolve the situation in Niger to guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers.