African Union issues ambiguous view on possible Niger military intervention

AU opposes countries outside Africa getting involved, but gives more nuanced position on any Ecowas military action

The African Union (AU) appears to have left room open for military intervention by a west African political bloc to restore democracy in Niger, as Algerian state radio said it had refused a French request to fly over its airspace for a military operation.

Algeria opposed any foreign military action in Niger and favoured diplomacy to restore constitutional order, state radio said. French authorities did not immediately comment.