The African Union suspended Guinea today following last week's coup and called for a return to constitutional order in the West African country.
A military junta seized power and installed a little-known army captain as de facto leader of the world's biggest bauxite exporter following the death of veteran ruler Lansana Conte.
While neighbour Senegal has endorsed the military junta, the African Union typically takes a strong line against any breaches of constitutional order among its 53-member states.
“The peace and security council of the AU today decided to suspend the participation of Guinea in the activities of the AU until the return to constitutional order in that country," the African Union council said in a statement.
“The AU reiterates its firm condemnation of the coup d'etat, which is a flagrant violation of the constitution of Guinea.”
The African Union aims to promote peace, security, stability and good governance to help development and cooperation between states in the world's poorest continent.
Mining group Rio Tinto said today it wants to meet the new military junta in Guinea to discuss its $6 billion Simandou iron ore project.
Reuters