African Union to Suspend Mauritania over Coup

The African Union will suspend Mauritania after a military coup toppled the country’s democratically elected government last week, AU chair Tanzania has announced. Speaking on behalf of Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who is the AU’s serving chairman, Tanzania’s Foreign Minister Bernard Membe said the continental body would suspend Mauritania until it installs a constitutional government. Mauritania’s military overthrew President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi last Wednesday after he announced the sacking of several top generals, accusing them of fomenting a political crisis.[PE]