Maldives Decides To Leave Commonwealth

After 34 years, Maldives has today decided to leave Commonwealth. Earlier on September 23, the Maldives was included on the official agenda of Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group – CMAG’s meeting scheduled to be held in March 2017.


Photo by Mihaaru : Foreign Minister and Attorney General at press conference today

The decision to leave Commonwealth comes a week after President Yameen returned from an official visit to Saudi Arabia. In his visit President Yameen met with King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and many of his cabinet ministers. The kingdom gave Maldives 300 scholarships and a loan of USD 150m. In the recent years there has been financial grants given by Saudi kingdom but not of significant amounts that exceeds $50m. Non-financial but significant was a grants earlier given to build a grand mosque in the outskirts of capital Male’.


Photo: President Yameen with King Salman Bin Abdul Azim of Saudi Arabia

The political instability of the Maldives in recent years have bothered Commonwealth and proposed corrective measure to the government, failing which Commonwealth would consider suspending the country from 53 state organization established in 1949.

Comprised mostly of former British colonies, Maldives joined Commonwealth in 1982. After long 34 years Maldives is now leaving Commonwealth.

In a press conference the Minister Of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohamed Asim said the decision was difficult to make. The minister stated that the Maldives government was working with Commonwealth but they neither recognised the government’s effort towards democracy nor assisted. The minister also said Commonwealth was trying to influence internal matters of the country.

Despite the decision to leave Commonwealth, the Maldives will work with other international organisations that recognise Maldives as an independent country, said the foreign minister.

In the press conference Attorney General Mohamed Anil said the Commonwealth Charter states of working with countries without influencing internal affairs of the member states. Anil also suspected the Commonwealth of trying to influence Maldives judiciary to obtain freedom to some of the criminals who the Commonwealth believes as political motivated.

Despite unusual political maneuvers in both internal and international politics the tourism is happening as usual. Tourism being the major economic contributor to the Maldives neither of political players want any harm to the industry. On the other hand the international airport and resorts are on its own islands while politics take pace mainly in capital Male’ which too remains peaceful in day-to-day lives.



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