Cabinet votes in favor of re-joining Commonwealth

Cabinet ministers have voted in favor of re-joining the Commonwealth of Nations.

Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s Cabinet made the decision to leave Commonwealth on October 13, 2016 – alleging consistent attempts by Commonwealth to interfere in domestic affairs of Maldives.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time stated the decision had been a difficult one, but necessary in order to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country.

The decision followed a statement by the Secretary General of Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland who said the Commonwealth was disappointed with the decision.

“Therefore, we hope that this will be a temporary separation and that Maldives will feel able to return to the Commonwealth family and all that it represents in due course,” said Scotland in her statement.

Re-joining Commonwealth was one of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s presidential pledges and set in the agenda for his first 100 days in office.