Foreign Ministry concerned with the spread of misinformation by the Canadian Foreign Minister

Foreign Ministry of Maldives has stated that the Government of Maldives is disappointed with the statement by the Canadian Foreign Minister taking political sides with the opposition in the Maldives, and further fuelling misinformation about the CMAG and its decision on the Maldives. 

Foreign Ministry stated that the statement released by CMAG very clearly notes that Maldives has been taken off the formal agenda and will be resuming its seat as a full member of the CMAG at its next meeting. 

The misleading presentation of information about CMAG’s decision and President Dr Waheed’s responses to the CMAG is unethical and against normal diplomatic discourse.  The information of the discussions within the CMAG is privileged and should not be shared in public.  Such political siding by a CMAG member country does not help in terms of the constructive engagement urged by Commonwealth in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting Commonwealth values and principles in the Maldives.

The CMAG meeting held yesterday in New York was attended by President Dr Waheed who briefed the Ministers regarding development in the Maldives and his commitment towards ‘consolidating democracy’ in Maldives.  The CMAG welcomed the CoNI report establishing the legality of the transfer of power in the Maldives. It welcomed the assistance and cooperation from the Government of Maldives and assured its full support for continued engagement with the country.  Apart from Canada, all other countries had supported the removal of the Maldives from the formal agenda of the CMAG.  Hence Maldives was taken off the formal agenda and moved to ‘matters of interest’ in order to allow CMAG for constructive engagement with the Maldives.