The African Union has condemned the military overthrow of Egypt’s elected president, Mohammed Morsi, and has barred the country from participating in AU activities until the return of constitutional order.

AU Commission’s chief, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, told a news conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, where theorganisation has its headquarters, that Egypt’s membership would remain suspended “until there is an election.”

He said: “The overthrow of the democratically elected president does not conform to the relevant provisions of Egypt’s constitution, and therefore falls under the definition of an unconstitutional change of government.”

The decision was taken after deliberations by the AU’s peace and security council earlier today.

This is not the first time the AU would suspend members. It is the practice of the body to suspend the membership of countries where the military ousts a democratically elected government.

In March, membership of the Central African Republic, CAR, was suspended after rebels seized power. Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau also remain suspended.