The African Union has reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to undemocratic changes of power on the continent.
On the final day of a summit in Addis Ababa, the AU said it would maintain the suspension of Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Sudan – which are all ruled by military leaders following coups.
The commissioner for political affairs, Bankole Adeoye, said the AU was ready to help those countries return to constitutional order and help democracy take root.
Leaders at the summit also agreed to press ahead with plans for a free trade deal including almost every country in Africa.
