Maldives will once again be a Commonwealth member next year: ministry

Maldives will once again be a Commonwealth member by June next year at the latest, says Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed.

Ghafoor made the statement while speaking on RaajjeTV's "Fala Suruhee" programme on Thursday. He further highlighted that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih submitted to re-join the commonwealth during his first week in office. Hence, a team from the Commonwealth has visited the Maldives on two occasions to assess the Maldives’ membership application to the organization. He also added that the Maldives' membership application was supported by countries such as Canada, Australia and India.

Furthermore, Ghafoor stated that the Maldives will be granted membership as soon as possible, and guaranteed that membership will be approved at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda scheduled for 22 June, at the latest.

According to Ghafoor, organisations such as the commonwealth gives priority to small nations like the Maldives. He highlighted that the organisation also prioritizes providing socio-economic, and cultural aid and noted the advantages to the country by joining the organisation.

Referring the previous administrations decision to leave the commonwealth, Ghafoor stressed the country was negatively impacted by the move.

Maldives joined the commonwealth on 9th July 1982. The country 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. Yameens administration accused the Commonwealth of interfering in domestic affairs and “unfair and unjust” treatment.