The United States moved to cut off aid to Madagascar today following the forced resignation of the Indian Ocean island's president that amounted to a "coup d'etat," dpa quoted the State Department as saying. The president of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana, resigned on Tuesday under pressure from the military. He ceded control to mutinous generals, who in turn appointed opposition leader Andry Rajoelina as interim president. "This series of events is tantamount to a coup d'etat, and the United States will not maintain its current assistance partnership with Madagascar," spokesman Robert Wood said. The decision affects all non-humanitarian assistance to Madagascar, Wood said, adding the amount of money involved would be announced later on Friday. The US move added to mounting international pressure on Madagascar, as Germany also said it was suspending aid and planned to push for similar action by the European Union. The African Union on Friday suspended Madagascar's membership.
