EU condemns military coup in Niger

(BRUSSELS) - European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton on Friday condemned the military coup in Niger and called on the junta to act immediately to restore democracy.

The EU shares the "deep concern" voiced by the African Union and the West African regional bloc ECOWAS at the developments in Niger and supports their mediating efforts, Ashton said in a statement.

The EU High Representative for foreign and security matters said she "condemns the seizure of power by a military coup d'etat in Niger and calls upon all actors involved to engage immediately in a democratic process allowing for rapid establishment of the constitutional order in the country."

Niger's new military rulers took control on Thursday, promising to turn the uranium-rich country into a beacon of "good democracy and governance" after months of political turmoil.

The military stormed the presidential palace during a cabinet meeting, seizing strongman Mamadou Tandja and detaining his ministers before announcing the suspension of the country's new constitution.

Ashton said she was following "closely the political crisis."