The United States has removed Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from a duty-free trade programme over alleged human rights violations and recent coups.

In a statement, the Office of the US Trade Representative said that action has been taken over the unconstitutional change in governments in both Guinea and Mali, and massive human rights violations being perpetrated by the Government of Ethiopia and other parties.

It said the three countries were removed from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which provides African nations with duty-free access to the United States, if they meet certain eligibility requirements.