ADDIS ABABA: The African Union suspended Egypt from the continental body yesterday after the ouster of President Muhammad Mursi, in line with its strict rules against unconstitutional changes of government.
The AU’s Peace and Security “council decided to suspend the participation of Egypt in AU activities until the restitution of constitutional order,” said an official statement.
The pan-African bloc met Friday at AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital to discuss the political crisis in Egypt, following Morsi’s removal by the army on Wednesday.
“The council reiterates the AU’s condemnation and rejection of any illegal seizure of power,” the statement added.
“The overthrow of the democratically elected president does not conform to the relevant provisions of Egypt’s constitution, and therefore falls under the definition of an unconstitutional change of government.”
Ahead of the meeting, AU Commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma stressed its “principled position” on such changes of government.