The Government of Maldives has passed to exit the Commonwealth. The decision to leave the Commonwealth came at the time the Maldives was included in the formal agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). CMAG had threatened suspension from the Commonwealth if the nation fails to address the issues noted by CMAG.
The President's Office is preparing for a press conference on the issue. The decision will come into effect if the Parliament approves the decision. Maldives joined the Commonwealth in 1982. The exit decision came after a 34 year run with the body.
The official statement released by Foreign Ministry stated that "Commonwealth has sought to become an active participant in the domestic political discourse in the Maldives, which is contrary to the principles of the Charters of the UN and the Commonwealth."
"The CMAG and the Commonwealth Secretariat seem to be convinced that the Maldives, because of the high and favourable reputation that the country enjoys internationally, and also perhaps because it is a small State that lacks material power, would be an easy object that can be used, especially in the name of democracy promotion, to increase the organisation’s own relevance and leverage in international politics," MoFA said.
In the ongoing press conference in President's office, Foreign Minister Ahmed Asim stressed this was a difficult decision but one that needed to be taken. He added that Maldives, even though is a small nation, must be respected, adding the Commonwealth had failed to respect the independence, integrity and institutions of the country.
Attorney General Anil in the press conference accused CMAG of attempting to circumvent the rule of the law in the Maldives, stating that "CMAG has been asking to intervene in certain trials. To influence court verdicts."
