U.S. moves to suspend aid for Madagascar

The United States is moving to suspend all non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar because it considers this week’s forced departure of its president "tantamount to a coup d’etat," State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Friday. Earlier in the day, the African Union announced it had suspended Madagascar’s membership after its 15-member Peace and Security Council decided the transfer of government was unconstitutional, AU spokesman El Ghassim Wane told CNN. “We ask the de facto authorities to return the country to constitutional rule, and should they fail to do so, the Peace and Security Council may incur sanctions,” he said.

Share

African group rejects Madagascar’s new leader

A regional body comprised of several southern African nations is refusing to recognize Madagascar opposition leader Andry Rajoelina as the island nation’s new president, an official said. The Southern African Development Community group, which met Thursday in Swaziland, has “completely rejected the legitimacy” of Rajoelina, the organization’s executive secretary, Tomaz Salomao, told CNN.

Share