Maldives readmitted to Commonwealth

Maldives is once again officially a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the announcement via Twitter on Friday, thus fulfilling one of his key presidential pledges.

The president said that the Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, confirmed Maldives’ reinstatement into the organization “as its 54th member state.” The confirmation was made over telephone on Saturday.

He added that the Maldives “shall long strive to uphold the Commonwealth’s values of democracy and human rights,” adding that rejoining the organization “is symbolic of [the] administration’s commitment to both engage with the international community and to deliver on our domestic pledges to citizens in good faith.”

The incumbent president also praised the Commonwealth, describing “as an organization embodying the best of multilateral diplomacy, highlighting its past assistance to the Maldives over the years, and the fact that it gives voice to over 50 diverse member states that span the globe.” He also underlined the significant opportunities granted through this, including the scholarship opportunities, sporting platforms and youth programs among many other benefits that the Maldives can once again avail itself of by virtue of our membership.

The President underscored that the Maldives remains committed to the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter and in the Harare Declaration.

With Maldives’ reinstatement into the Commonwealth, the country’s flag will be raised at Marlborough House, the Common Secretariat, on the 6th of February.

Solih’s predecessor, jailed former President Abdulla Yameen, made the decision for Maldives to leave the Commonwealth 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 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.”

Maldives first became a member of the Commonwealth on 9th July 1982.