Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
The African Union (AU) has suspended Mali’s membership after last week’s coup and threatened sanctions if a civilian-led government is not restored.
The suspension, which extends to all the organisation’s affiliate institutions, could threaten the candidacy of Mali’s Haidara Aichata Cisse, who is running for the presidency of the Pan-African Parliament.
Chief Fortune Charumbira is the candidate that is being pushed by the SADC caucus.
In a statement, the AU said: “decides … to immediately suspend the Republic of Mali from participation in all activities of the African Union, its organs and institutions until normal constitutional order has been restored in the country.”
Elections at the PAP were suspended on Tuesday after proceedings descended into chaos following the decision by SADC member states block the elections until the presidency is rotated.
Currently, the East and West African blocs have a stranglehold on leadership of the continental body because of their numbers.
PAP is led by a bureau, which consists of a president and four vice presidents representing the country’s geographical regions.
The ongoing session, which began on May 21, ends on June 4.
Online Reporter