The African Union on Wednesday condemned Mali's military interference in the nation's politics after Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra was forced to quit following his arrest by solders.

AU Commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said in a statement that the regional group "firmly condemns the conditions of the resignation" of Diarra.

The AU demanded "for the total subordination of the army and security forces to the civilian government," said Zuma.

The AU's condemnation followed similar reactions from the UN Security council, France, the United States, the European Union and regional bloc Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) . They also called for the military to stop meddling in political affairs, and threatened sanctions against those preventing the restoration of constitutional order.

Diarra announced resignation and dissolved the cabinet Tuesday hours after arrested by soldiers loyal to ex-coup leader Amadou Sanogo.

Late on Tuesday, Mali's interim President Dioncounda Traore appointed Diango Cissoko as new prime minister.