Maldives rejoins Commonwealth as its 54th member-state

Maldives, on Saturday, formally rejoined the Commonwealth as its 54th member state.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in a statement, confirmed he had received a call from the Secretary-General of Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, informing him Maldives had been formally accepted as a member of the Commonwealth, effective from this Saturday.

Solih, during the phone call, thanked Scotland for her guidance and efforts in ensuring Maldives’s re-accession to Commonwealth, and provided assurance of the Maldivian government’s commitment towards upholding the principles enshrined in the Commonwealth’s charter.

“Today, I am pleased to share the news of our membership with the Maldivian people, who fought hard for the country to regain its rightful place in the international community, as a country that values the rule of law, democracy, and the promotion and protection of human rights,” said Solih in his statement. “The Commonwealth, for the Maldives, embodies these values that we cherish.”

Maldives had left Commonwealth on October 13, 2013, during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration, after the organization threatened to suspend Maldives’ membership over some of the administration’s more controversial moves.

Rejoining the Commonwealth had been one of Solih’s top pledges in the run up to the 2018 presidential elections which unseated Yameen.

“I am pleased to announce, that upon regaining our membership, we have once again opened new opportunities and avenues in the field of education, youth empowerment, sports, gender equality, environment and climate change as well as the promotion and protection of human rights,” said Solih.

Maldives and its missions abroad are scheduled to commemorate its re-entry into Commonwealth from February 1-6, culminating with a celebratory flag-raising ceremony at the Commonwealth Secretariat in Marlborough House in London on February 6.