CONCLUDING STATEMENT
Extraordinary Meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG)
London, 22 February 2012
1. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met in
extraordinary session in London today to consider its response to the
situation in Maldives.
2.The meeting was chaired by Hon. Dr. Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister
for Foreign Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago. Other
members of the Group who participated in the meeting were Hon Dr. Dipu
Moni, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh; Hon John Baird,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada; Senator Hon Arnold J
Nicholson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Jamaica (by
teleconference); Hon Joseph B Dauda, Minister for Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, Hon Bernard K Membe,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of
Tanzania, Mr Dennis Richardson, Secretary, Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade, Australia, and H.E. Roy Mickey Joy, High
Commissioner of Vanuatu to the UK.
3. CMAG received a report from the three-member ministerial mission
that visited Maldives from 17-19 February 2012, to ascertain the facts
surrounding the transfer of power and to promote adherence to
Commonwealth values and principles. The mission was led by Foreign
Minister Rambachan and also comprised Foreign Minister Moni and Mr
Richardson. It met with a wide range of interlocutors during the
visit.
4. In keeping with the Commonwealth’s well-established principles of
inclusiveness and equity, the Group heard a statement from Dr Hassan
Saeed, Adviser to the new President of Maldives, as well as from Dr
Farahanaz Faizal, who represented the former President.
5. CMAG thanked the members of the ministerial mission for their
valuable work, which had greatly enhanced the Group’s understanding of
the circumstances surrounding the transfer of power.
6. Having considered the report of the mission and reviewed all the
information made available to it, CMAG agreed that it was not
possible, in the allotted time, to determine conclusively the
constitutionality of the resignation of President Nasheed on 7
February 2012. The Group therefore agreed that an independent and
impartial investigation of the events of 6-7 February should be
completed in a transparent manner within a reasonable timeframe. It
noted, in this context, the announcement by President Waheed, on 21
February, of a three-member commission of inquiry for this purpose. It
strongly felt that there should be international participation in any
investigative mechanism, as may be mutually agreed by political
parties in Maldives.
7. CMAG recognised the need for healing in Maldives. It called on all
concerned to show restraint and mutual respect in their statements and
actions, and to take immediate steps in the national interest to seek
an inclusive agreement on the way forward. To this end, the Group
urged President Waheed and former President Nasheed to commence an
immediate dialogue, without preconditions, to agree on a date for
early elections, which should take place within this calendar year.
8. The Group was furthermore of the view that such a dialogue should
facilitate the opening of the Majlis session as scheduled on 1 March
2012. This dialogue should lead to collaboration on the passage of the
necessary constitutional amendment for the holding of early elections,
as well as such legislation that needs to be passed to ensure
peaceful, inclusive and credible elections.
9. It also requested the Secretary-General to continue to deploy his
good offices in Maldives. It also welcomed his intent to appoint a
Special Envoy.
10. CMAG noted the assurance by the new government that former
President Nasheed would continue to receive the protection and
privileges provided for under the Constitution. In this context, the
Group expressed strong concern at the continuing impact of the warrant
of arrest against him, and urged that this issue be addressed in order
that his ability to participate fully in the electoral process is not
prejudiced.
11. The Group further agreed that, in line with the agreed
parliamentary agenda and matters emerging from the dialogue, the
Commonwealth should enhance its technical assistance to Maldives to
help build capacity in such areas as the Judiciary and the Parliament,
and that of the Elections Commission, as well as to promote adherence
to democratic values and principles. In particular, it urged the
Commonwealth to support the Elections Commission as well as to engage
with all stakeholders towards ensuring the credibility and peaceful
conduct of the next elections. It recommended the expeditious
development of a code of conduct for political parties in the lead-up
to the elections.
12. Given the questions that remain about the precise circumstances of
the change of government, as well as the fragility of the situation in
Maldives, CMAG decided that Maldives should be placed on its formal
agenda.
13. The Group further agreed that, in situations where a member of
CMAG was under scrutiny by the Group itself, its CMAG membership
should be placed in abeyance as long as it remained on the formal
agenda of CMAG. It decided, accordingly, that Maldives should not
participate in CMAG during this time.
14. CMAG decided to convene again via teleconference in March 2012 to
review progress in Maldives, and to consider at its next scheduled
meeting in April 2012 any further measures that may be warranted
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