ADDIS ABABA: The African Union on Friday announced it would impose sanctions on Guinea's junta leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, over his intention to run in upcoming presidential polls.

The AU's Peace and Security Council "expresses deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Guinea and the consequences it has for the process of return to constitutional order in the country," a statement said.

The council "decides to impose appropriate sanctions against the president of the CNDD (National Council for Democracy and Development) and all other individuals, both civilian and military, whose activities are in contravention of those commitments," the statement said.

The statement was referring to an earlier commitment by the junta leader not to enter next year's electoral fray.

The decision to impose sanctions on Camara and his colleagues in the junta that took over in December came after consultations at the continental organisation's headquarters in Addis Ababa.