The Maldives has once again become a member of the Commonwealth of nations.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the announcement on February 1, 2020.
The Commonwealth welcomed its 54th family member after Maldives’ application for re-admission was approved.
Background
- The Maldives first became a member of the Commonwealth in 1982 but former President Abdulla Yameen decided to leave it in October 2016, amid mounting pressure from the group over corruption and deteriorating human rights.
- President Solih’s cabinet passed to rejoin the organization, shortly after assuming office in November 2018.
- With Maldives’ reinstatement into the Commonwealth, the country’s flag will be raised at Marlborough House, the Common Secretariat, on the 6th of this month.
- The country will now be part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda on June 22-28 2020.
- Its Ambassador to the UK now becomes its High Commissioner, signifying Commonwealth membership.
