When is a coup not a coup? The AU's dilemma

This research paper examines the African Union's (AU) challenge in addressing unconstitutional changes of government, specifically focusing on the tension between condemning incumbent leaders who manipulate constitutions to stay in power and condemning military coups that overthrow such leaders, using the situation in Niger as a primary case study.

• The African Union (AU) has expanded its definition of 'unconstitutional change of government' to encompass incumbent leaders who employ unconstitutional methods to remain in power, including the suspension of democratic constitutions to bypass presidential term limits.
• In Niger, President Tandja's actions to maintain power were labeled a 'coup' by opposition parties and led to sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a position the AU endorsed in October 2009.
• The AU's Peace and Security Council is developing a contextual range of responses to coups, which include mild statements of condemnation, suspension of AU membership, and economic sanctions, complemented by regional mediation to restore constitutional democracy and free elections.
• Political instability in Niger is exacerbated by the country's status as one of the world's poorest nations despite possessing significant mineral wealth in uranium, gold, and oil, making political office a primary route to economic power.
• External strategic interests influence the stability of Niger; specifically, France has nuclear energy interests tied to the stability of uranium imports from the country.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2010). When is a coup not a coup? The AU's dilemma. https://saiia.org.za/research/when-is-a-coup-not-a-coup-the-aus-dilemma/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. When is a coup not a coup? The AU's dilemma. 2010. https://saiia.org.za/research/when-is-a-coup-not-a-coup-the-aus-dilemma/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=When is a coup not a coup? The AU's dilemma |date=23 February 2010 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/when-is-a-coup-not-a-coup-the-aus-dilemma/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2010when, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{When is a coup not a coup? The AU's dilemma}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2010}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/when-is-a-coup-not-a-coup-the-aus-dilemma/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }