Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General calls on Maldives leaders

Masire-Mwamba on first official visit to the South Asian country to launch Commonwealth workshop to deepen democracy.

Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has welcomed the initiatives of the Commonwealth to share its valuable knowledge and expertise on democracy and development. He said this to visiting Commonwealth  Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba who is in the South Asian country for a regional Commonwealth workshop on Government and the Opposition – Roles, Rights and Responsibilities, being held in the capital Malé from 13 to 15 June 2011.

During her call on the President they discussed the value of deepening the culture of democracy as well as promoting development. President Nasheed said that Maldives was making progress in consolidating democracy and that his government is open to advice and suggestions about how this could be enhanced. He also spoke on the importance of a cohesive and effective Opposition to stimulate dialogue on issues and promote the national interest. The president expressed appreciation for the support and collaboration of the Commonwealth in facilitating the democratic transition in Maldives. They also discussed preparations for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia in October.

The Deputy Secretary-General also called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Naseem. They discussed the political engagement the Commonwealth can undertake to foster the Commonwealth’s values. The role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), the nine-member grouping of foreign ministers tasked with addressing serious or persistent violations of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values, was also discussed. Maldives is a member of the Group and is involved with its current effort to revitalise its role.
Mr Naseem said the Commonwealth can also help to raise greater awareness of the challenges faced by small island developing states, particularly those which are aiming to progress from their least developed country status, to help these countries to address their particular vulnerability to global economic and environmental pressures.

Mrs Masire-Mwamba held talks with the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Abdulla Shahid. She expressed appreciation for his role in hosting and facilitating the Commonwealth regional workshop for Asia on Government and the Opposition. She said the workshop will provide a platform for cross-fertilisation of ideas and the exchange of experiences across the Asian members of the Commonwealth in appreciating issues and challenges on the ground and finding possible solutions. The Deputy  Secretary-General underlined the value of learning from one another to promote a better understanding of democracy and good governance, and identify possible benchmarks for good practice. She said this includes the separation of powers between the executive, parliament and the judiciary.

The Speaker said Maldives was happy to play host to the workshop. He cited the steps taken in Maldives to strengthen the People’s Majlis as well as to establish a smooth relationship between Parliament and the Executive, but acknowledged that more needed to be done to build parliamentary capacity and enshrine good practice. He also emphasised the need for a more harmonious relationship between the media and parliament.

In her meeting with the Opposition leader, Thasmeen Ali, of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party, they discussed consolidation of political and democratic reforms in Maldives, and the role that an effective Opposition can play in a robust democracy.