The African Union on Friday suspended Madagascar from the continental body, saying the replacement of the island nation's president by an army-backed politician constitutes a coup, according to AP. The union's decision follows the declaration a day earlier by Southern African nations that they will not recognize Madagascar's new leader, Andry Rajoelina. The Southern African Development Community also urged the AU and the international community not to recognize Rajoelina as president and called for a return to «democratic and constitutional rule in the shortest time possible.» The AU's second most important body, the Peace and Security Council, has given Madagascar six months to restore a constitutional government, probably through elections, said Bruno Nongoma Zidouemba, the council's temporary chairman. If it does not comply, the AU will consider imposing sanctions on the Indian Ocean island's leaders, Zidouemba told reporters. «The council is of the opinion that what's occurred in Madagascar entered into the definition of an unconstitutional change of government,» said Zidouemba, Burkina Faso's ambassador to the AU. He said the AU had also asked foreign governments, including France, which has supported the new president, to stand by the AU's position. On Thursday, the United States also said it would reconsider aid to the island nation.
