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  • Departure Statement - Commonwealth ministerial mission to Maldives

Departure Statement - Commonwealth ministerial mission to Maldives

19 February 2012

A Commonwealth ministerial mission has been in the Maldives capital, Male, to gain a better understanding of recent events in the South Asian state

Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG)
Ministerial mission to Maldives 17-19 February 2012

Departure statement by CMAG ministerial mission

We have been in Maldives for the past three days, with the objective of developing a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the transfer of power in this country earlier this month, as well as to promote adherence to Commonwealth values and principles.

We have held detailed discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, including President Waheed, former President Nasheed, the Speaker of the Majlis, the Chief Justice, several political parties, independent institutions, relevant military and police personnel, as well as others. We have also consulted international partners and civil society.

We believe we are returning with the enhanced understanding of the situation that we came to seek.

Our observations and recommendations will be presented to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, which will meet in London in the coming week.

Maldives is a valued member of the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth has had a long association with the democratic transition in this country. It will continue to support Maldives in every possible way as it seeks to find a way forward at this difficult time.

For media enquiries, please contact Victoria Holdsworth (in Malé) on +44 789 459 3520 or on v.holdsworth@commonwealth.int. In London, please contact Manoah Esipisu on +44 789 446 2021 or m.esipisu@commonwealth.int.

Note to Editors:

The three-person CMAG ministerial mission to Maldives has been led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago, Surujrattan Rambachan. He was accompanied by Dr Dipu Moni, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, and Dennis Richardson AO, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia.

CMAG stresses the importance of adherence by member countries to the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values, including constitutional democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights; and in particular, the principle of separation of powers, as enshrined in the Latimer House Principles.

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  • 1. Feb 22 2012 2:01PM, Ali Rasheed wrote:

    There will be a large proportion of the population who are not happy with whatever decision you take. One of the best lawyers in Maldives has probably given the best legal opinion on the crisis. Let there be an independent investigation If it is decided to be a coup let President Nasheed be reinstated , if not let Dr.Waheed continue until the next election. Either way there will be no election, we simply cant afford it, we are broke!

  • 2. Feb 21 2012 12:52PM, Nyna wrote:

    Definetly it was a coup. We are still scared of the police brutality

  • 3. Feb 21 2012 9:17AM, hussain wrote:

    i believe it is a coup, im sure the CMAG team will have all the videos of the celebrations made by the police and army, the president cannot be changed without my vote as well, it should be done through the ballot boxes, Dr.waheed doesnot have a single seat in the parliament or the local councils so how can he govern Maldives,

  • 4. Feb 21 2012 7:45AM, musthafa wrote:

    I strongly believe it was coup that was brought jointly by the Maldives National defence force and the Police.

  • 5. Feb 21 2012 7:19AM, Marie wrote:

    How can it be a coup when even just before the resignation speech the police were saying 'yes sir' to whatever the president was saying. and after that speech he went to the Presidents Office and met his cabinet before he wrote the resignation letter... The audio and pictures are all available.. we don't see anybody near him forcing..

  • 6. Feb 21 2012 5:45AM, Mohamed wrote:

    Even if Nasheed is from MDP,he was the president of Maldives, We have constitutional democracy on power separation system, When president went above the law,people said no! and changed him.

  • 7. Feb 21 2012 5:30AM, hassan wrote:

    I urge commonwealth to take harsh action against the people who derailed democracy in the Maldives. We want an elected leader, not a coup leader.

  • 8. Feb 21 2012 3:43AM, Nazim wrote:

    It was definitely a coup backed by few resort owners controlled the countries wealth and corrupted few politicians. We need an early election. Very clearly the majority of the country's population is against this coup by military and police. There is enough evidence. I urge the international community to boycott this brutal regime and to impose economic embargo. We need justice and democracy here in Maldives. The Majority of the country love the President Mohamed Nasheed (Anni).

  • 9. Feb 20 2012 2:01PM, Hood wrote:

    I am assured. The CMAG would be able to demonstrate to the world how the events regarding the so called coup unfolded. The European community especially England need to be reasured.

  • 10. Feb 20 2012 12:48PM, Mohamed Arif wrote:

    Yes...I believe, it was a coup!


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