Maldives submits documents to rejoin Commonwealth
The documents, requested by Commonwealth SG Patricia Scotland, were submitted on Wednesday by FM Shahid
Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland
Maldives has submitted the required documents to rejoin the Commonwealth.
The documents, requested by Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, was submitted by Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.
Shahid, who is currently on an official visit in the United Kingdom, had handed the documents to the secretary general herself, at a meeting held on Wednesday.
In a tweet posted after, the foreign minister said that he had submitted the necessary documents for Maldives “to retake its rightful place as a member of the Commonwealth.”
He added that the country looks forward to next year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where it will reach a decision on the matter.
Also via Twittter, SG Scotland said that she was “pleased” to be presented with the documents, adding that they are “hopeful that the process will proceed as smoothly and speedily as possible.”
Maldives left the Commonwealth during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration in October 2016, amid mounting pressure from the group over corruption and deteriorating human rights.
The move came after a warning by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, to suspend the Maldives “if the political crisis triggered by the jailing of opposition leaders is not resolved.”
Yameen’s government had accused the Commonwealth of interfering in domestic affairs and “unfair and unjust” treatment.
Incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s cabinet passed to rejoin the organization, shortly after assuming office in November 2018.
The request for readmission was sent in early December, where President Solih reiterated his administration’s “determination to uphold and practice the principles enumerated in the Charter of the Commonwealth, and the Harare Declaration.”
He further noted that his administration “does not believe in the success of such endeavours whilst maintaining a policy of isolation from the outside world.”
A Commonwealth assessment team was in the Maldives earlier this year, following an invitation from the government.
Maldives first became a member of the Commonwealth on 9th July 1982.
