Maldives on Friday expressed disappointment by the lack of opportunity for small states after the tiny island nation suffered a heavy defeat to lose the highly coveted United Nations (UN) security council seat to Indonesia.
Indonesia defeated the Maldives in the only contested election for a seat on the Security Council starting January 1 to join the UN's most powerful body along with Germany, Belgium, South Africa and the Dominican Republic.
Despite huge confidence by the Maldives government to pull off a successful bid, Indonesia triumphed with an overwhelming 144 to 46 votes.
In a swift statement, Maldives foreign ministry congratulated Indonesia for the victory and vowed to work closely all the newly elected members.
However, the statement expressed disappointment saying that small States were not getting the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the international peace and security.
"In its 72 years of the United Nations, only 8 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have had the opportunity to serve on the Security Council," the statement read.
Despite the defeat, the archipelago also vowed to continue its leadership role in pursuing strong action on issues of importance to the Maldives and other SIDS.
"The Maldives also hopes that today’s results will not dishearten other small States to compete for membership in the Council," the statement said.
"The Maldives hopes that the future will provide a platform for all members of the UN, big or small, to serve on the Security Council, on the merits of their commitments and ideals, to international peace and security."
Winning a seat on the Security Council is a pinnacle of achievement for many countries - especially for the smaller nations as it gives them a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security.
The rather embarrassing defeat would be a major blow to the Maldives government and could be perceived as a significant sign of the fading international support for the island nation ravaged by unprecedented political strife.
Incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's government has been under intense international pressure over the jailing of key opposition leaders and curbing of constitutional rights and freedoms.
One of Yameen's vice presidents, two of his defense ministers, two supreme court justices, a prosecutor general and numerous opposition politicians have been jailed. Former strongman and Yameen's elder half brother Maumoon Abdul Gayoom - now an opposition politician himself - is under detention and on trial for terrorism.
In February, the Supreme Court ordered the release and retrial of self-exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed and several of Yameen's opponents. But Yameen quickly had two Supreme Court justices arrested under a state of emergency, accusing them of plotting to unlawfully oust him from power.
The remaining three judges have since annulled the order to release the jailed leaders.
