The African Union has condemned the military coup d’état in Niger and demanded the restoration of constitutional law.

The army seized power on Thursday, taking 71-year-old President Mamadou Tandja prisoner. He is being held in barracks outside the capital Niamey. Eyewitnesses reported that at least three soldiers were killed and ten injured soldiers were taken to hospital.

The new junta, the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy under the leadership of Salou Djibo, has stationed tanks and artillery near government buildings.

The civil government has been dissolved. A curfew has been imposed and borders are closed.

President Tandja came under international and domestic criticism last year after holding a controversial referendum to remain in power for longer. The president had already served two five-year terms, while the constitution only allows a president to remain in office of ten years. He also dissolved parliament and the Constitutional Court.

As a result, Niger became internationally isolated and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Niger as a member state.