The Second Assessment Mission by the Commonwealth Secretariat arrived in the Maldives on Saturday afternoon. The visit to the Maldives follows important milestones achieved by the Maldives in its efforts to rejoin the Commonwealth.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the Second Assessment is headed by Ms. Katalaina Saplou, Senior Director of the Governance and Peace Directorate of the Secretariat. During the visit, the Commonwealth team will meet with government ministers and other senior officials, the Speaker of the Parliament, members of independent institutions, members of the Judiciary and other important interlocutors.
The Commonwealth Secretariat undertook the First Assessment Mission in January 2019 following the formal request made by the President of the Republic of Maldives in December 2018, requesting the Commonwealth Secretary-General to re-admit the Maldives as member of the Commonwealth. All documentation required under the membership criteria were submitted to the Secretary-General by the Maldives government during June.
Rejoining the Commonwealth is a key pledge of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The decision to re-apply for membership was concluded within one week of the new Government assuming power in November 2018.
