Maldives has decided to leave the Commonwealth saying it was a difficult decision but inevitable. Maldives Foreign Ministry said in a statement today that Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) and the Commonwealth Secretariat have treated the Maldives unjustly and unfairly.
CMAG in its meeting last month had warned that it would consider suspension of Maldives from Commonwealth in March next year if substantive progress is not made across the priority areas including democratic and human rights.
Maldives statement said Commonwealth has sought to take punitive actions against the Maldives since 2012 after the then President of Maldives resigned.
It said Commonwealth decision was unjustified given that the Commission of National Inquiry (CONI), established with the help of the Commonwealth, found that the transfer of power in the Maldives was consistent with the constitutional provisions.
The development came as the opposition parties have united under Maldives Democratic Party led by former President Mohammed Nasheed and are planning to overthrow the current government led by President Yameen. The current government has faced repeated criticism in recent times from international community on charges of human rights violations and cubing media freedoms.