afrol News, 24 September - African Union has threatened Mauritanian government with sanctions if military junta which led a coup in August against elected leader, does not restore constitutional order.

Peace and Security Council (PSC) of African Union (AU) has given coup leaders in Mauritania a deadline of 6 October to restore constitutional order in the country or face isolation.

A communique issued yesterday by AU Commission, said decision was taken at a meeting at ministerial level in New York to consider current situation in Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

It warned "the perpetrators of the coup and their civilian supporters” of sanctions and isolation they will incur if they do not respond positively to the demand.

"The AU declares null and void all measures of constitutional, institutional and legislative nature taken by the military authorities and that followed the coup d'etat of 6 August, 2008," AU said in a statement.

Despite efforts deployed to date, Council noted that no progress has been made towards a rapid return to constitutional legality in the country.

Reiterating its condemnation of coup d'Etat and all other measures taken by its leaders to consolidate current situation, Council reaffirmed legitimacy of constitutional order represented by institutions that were democratically elected during legislative and presidential elections held in November 2006 and March 2007 respectively.

Meanwhile, PSC has further urged all AU member states and international community to reject as illegitimate all actions and initiatives of authors of the coup d'Etat aimed at obstructing restoration of constitutional order in Mauritania.

AU suspended Mauritania from the bloc following 6 August coup led by former head of Mauritania's presidential guard, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.

Mr Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi who was country's first democratically-elected president, has been under house arrest ever since. His prime minister, Yahya Ould Ahmed Waghf, was re-arrested on 22 August and also placed under house arrest.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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