WASHINGTON, March 20 (UPI) -- The United States will suspend non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar, saying the government change amounted to a coup, the U.S. State Department said Friday.
"The United States condemns the process through which Marc Ravalomanana was forced to resign as president of the republic of Madagascar and Andry Rajoelina subsequently was installed as the de facto head of state as undemocratic and contrary to the rule of law," State Department spokesman Robert Wood said during a news briefing. "In view of these developments, the United States is moving to suspend all non-humanitarian assistance to Madagascar."
Wood said U.S. officials called on Madagascarans to start a "democratic, consensus process to restore governance, culminating in free, fair and peaceful elections."
Ravalomanana Tuesday stepped down in the face of mass opposition protests and an armed rebellion, turning over power to the military. Rajoelina installed himself in presidential offices seized Monday by mutinying troops.
"This series of events is tantamount to a coup d'etat, and the United States will not maintain our current assistance partnership with Madagascar," Wood said.
