AU suspends Madagascar, US to halt aid

By Richard Lough

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - The African Union suspended Madagascar on Friday and the United States said it planned to halt all but emergency aid, increasing pressure after the opposition took power with the support of the army.

Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina was declared president of the Indian Ocean island on Tuesday after weeks of political unrest that have killed at least 135 people, devastated the economy and worried foreign investors.

"A civilian and military coup has taken place in Madagascar," said Burkina Faso's Ambassador Bruno Nongoma Zidouemba, chairman of the AU's peace and security council.

He said the council "decided to suspend the participation of Madagascar to the bodies and organs of the AU."

Madagascar's elected president, Marc Ravalomanana, was forced out on Tuesday after opposition protests that won the support of the military. Ravalomanana's foes had accused him of autocratic rule and failing to address poverty.

The United States said it regarded the takeover as a coup.

"In view of these developments, the United States is moving to suspend all non-humanitarian assistance to Madagascar," U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters.

The AU said the new administration had six months to call an election, as provided for by the constitution. Rajoelina has set a 24-month transition. Zidouemba said the pan-African body would meet at a later date to discuss possible sanctions.