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| From left to right: Aishath Azima Shukoor, Official logo of Common Wealth and Dr. Farahanaaz Faisal. Edited Photo by: Adamington Online |
In a statement today 16th April 2012 at its thirty-seventh meeting in London, Common Wealth Ministerial Action Group reiterated its belief that early electionsshould be called by the end of 2012 in Maldives. In this meeting CMAG reviewed developments in relation to the two countries on its agenda, Fiji and Maldives.
Eight major points were hightlighted in this statement about Maldives.CMAG heard presentations from the Attorney-General of Maldives Aishath Azima Shakoor,
and Dr Farahanaz Faizal who was the representative of former President Nasheed.
Since CMAG's last met by teleconference on 15 March 2012, the Group noted with deep regret that there had been little progress towards a political understanding in Maldives.
The Group expressed its support for Sir Donald’s ongoing interaction with Maldives.
CMAG called for political party talks to be held without interruption and with the
participation of senior representatives of the parties. CMAG received updates from the
Secretary-General and from his Special Envoy, Rt Hon Sir Donald McKinnon,
regarding recent developments in Maldives and the Commonwealth’s engagement.
CMAG urged the political party talks to cover all issues that divide the stakeholders
in Maldives. CMAG view that the Commission of National Inquiry,
established to assess the events leading to the transfer of power on 7 February 2012,
is not independent or impartial. CMAG also stated that Commission of National Inquiry
has failed to gain sufficient support in Maldives. CMAG Ministers urged the Government to
review immediately the composition and terms of reference of the Commission
to make it genuinely independent, credible and impartial. The group reiterated the Commonwealth’s offer to provide assistance in this regard.
CMAG reaffirmed its support for Commonwealth assistance to strengthen democratic
processes, institutions and culture in Maldives.
The meeting was attended by Senator the Hon Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs of
Australia; Hon Dr Dipu Moni, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh; Hon John Baird,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada; Hon AJ Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Foreign Trade of Jamaica; Hon Bernard K Membe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation of Tanzania; Hon Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago; Hon Alfred Carlot, Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Vanuatu; and Hon Ebun Jusu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation of Sierra Leone. This was the Group’s first regular meeting following its
reconstitution by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their Meeting in Perth
in October 2011.
Eight major points were hightlighted in this statement about Maldives.CMAG heard presentations from the Attorney-General of Maldives Aishath Azima Shakoor,
and Dr Farahanaz Faizal who was the representative of former President Nasheed.
Since CMAG's last met by teleconference on 15 March 2012, the Group noted with deep regret that there had been little progress towards a political understanding in Maldives.
The Group expressed its support for Sir Donald’s ongoing interaction with Maldives.
CMAG called for political party talks to be held without interruption and with the
participation of senior representatives of the parties. CMAG received updates from the
Secretary-General and from his Special Envoy, Rt Hon Sir Donald McKinnon,
regarding recent developments in Maldives and the Commonwealth’s engagement.
CMAG urged the political party talks to cover all issues that divide the stakeholders
in Maldives. CMAG view that the Commission of National Inquiry,
established to assess the events leading to the transfer of power on 7 February 2012,
is not independent or impartial. CMAG also stated that Commission of National Inquiry
has failed to gain sufficient support in Maldives. CMAG Ministers urged the Government to
review immediately the composition and terms of reference of the Commission
to make it genuinely independent, credible and impartial. The group reiterated the Commonwealth’s offer to provide assistance in this regard.
CMAG reaffirmed its support for Commonwealth assistance to strengthen democratic
processes, institutions and culture in Maldives.
The meeting was attended by Senator the Hon Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs of
Australia; Hon Dr Dipu Moni, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh; Hon John Baird,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada; Hon AJ Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Foreign Trade of Jamaica; Hon Bernard K Membe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation of Tanzania; Hon Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago; Hon Alfred Carlot, Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Vanuatu; and Hon Ebun Jusu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation of Sierra Leone. This was the Group’s first regular meeting following its
reconstitution by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their Meeting in Perth
in October 2011.
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