Mali suspended by African Union after second coup in 9 months

Days after Mali witnessed its second military coup in 9 months, the African Union has suspended the country with immediate effect. The Union has also threatened the country with sanctions. Earlier, the poverty-ridden country was suspended from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The Union called for urgent and unconditional return of the military to the barracks. AU condemned the coup in "strongest" terms.