African Union suspends Egypt's membership

Following the overthrow of Egypt's elected president Mohammed Morsi by the military, the African Union (AU) Friday suspended that country's membership until restoration of constitutional order.

The decision was taken at the emergency session of the AU's Peace and Security Council (PSC) here.

"The PSC will deliberate on the situation in Egypt and take the required decisions on the basis of the relevant AU instruments, including the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the Algiers Decision and the Lome Declaration," a statement said.

PSC chairperson Nkosazana Dilamini Zuma said that the AU recognized the situation in Egypt as an "exceptional" but stands by the principles of constitutional changes of government.

"It is the responsibility of all Egyptian leaders to work towards the fulfillment of these legitimate aspirations," she said.

However, the Egyptian ambassador to Ethiopia and the AU noted that it was the Egyptian people that brought Morsi to power and were the ones that revolted against him and the army's involvement was just to fulfil their aspirations.

"The source of legitimacy has come from the people. The army and other powers in Egypt were just supporting the will of the people," he said.

The AU has also decided to dispatch a team of eminent persons to Egypt to hold discussions with the ruling authorities and other Egyptian stakeholders.