The official readmission of Maldives to Commonwealth has opened up a wide array of opportunities for the country, especially in the development of youth.
Having originally joined Commonwealth on July 9, 1982, Maldives left the organisation on October 13, 2016 during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, on grounds of protecting the sovereignty of the country. The decision was widely condemned, especially from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), whose presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assumed office following the election win in 2018.
Rejoining Commonwealth was one of the electoral pledges of President Solih, and within one month of assuming office, the administration began proceedings of rejoining the organisation. Following the application to rejoin Commonwealth, representative teams from the organisation visited Maldives twice to review the application. The additional documents requested by Commonwealth was handed over to Secretary-General Patricia Scotland by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid in June 2019.
During his meetings with Secretary-General Scotland, Foreign Minister Shahid highlighted the importance of Maldives joining the organisation and sought ways to fast-track the readmission. The efforts of the foreign minister resulted in several member states including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Canada and Rwanda endorsing the application of Maldives to rejoin Commonwealth and urging the organisation to fast-track re-admission.
Although Maldives was originally set to rejoin the organisation during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2020, the joint efforts of member states saw Maldives readmitted to the organisation on February 1, 2020. The readmission was officially confirmed by a phone call made by Secretary-General Scotland to President Solih.
In the statement issued following the confirmation of readmission, President Solih said Maldives rejoining Commonwealth symbolises the commitment of the administration to engage with the international community and to deliver domestic pledges to citizens in good faith. The president praised the Commonwealth as an organisation embodying the best of multilateral diplomacy, highlighting its past assistance to Maldives over the years and the fact it gives voice to over 50 diverse member states that span across the globe.
President Solih also underlined the significant opportunities granted by the Commonwealth, highlighting the scholarship opportunities, sporting platforms and youth programmes among many other benefits Maldives can once again avail itself of by virtue of the membership. He underscored Maldives remains committed to the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter and in the Harare Declaration.
As the 54th member state of Commonwealth, Maldives will take part in the Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali in June. Maldives will also join subsidiary associations of Commonwealth, as part of efforts to conduct important projects across different sectors.