Maldives has re-joined the Commonwealth with the support of all member countries.
According to President's Office, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih spoke with Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations Patricia Scotland over the telephone, where she informed Maldives has been admitted back to the Commonwealth. The president expressed his joy that Maldives is once again a part of the Commonwealth family, thanking the secretary general and the commonwealth secretariat for all the assistance in expediting the process leading up to re-joining the organisation, helping to fulfil one of his key inaugural pledges, far ahead of schedule.
Following the receival of membership, Maldives became the 54th member state of the organisation. Upon becoming a member state, the Maldivian embassies in other member countries will now be changed to high commissions. The administration revealed necessary preparations are underway to accommodate the changes required.
Maldives removed itself from Commonwealth on October 31, 2016 during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. However, President Solih initiated efforts to gain membership of the Commonwealth, with Maldives submitting the application on December 6, 2018.
The Commonwealth is an organisation of over 50 member states spanning the globe and encompassing a diverse array of cultures, nations and linguistic groups, sharing in common a commitment to the democratic values and principles embodied in the Commonwealth Charter and Harare Declaration. Queen Elizabeth II serves as the ceremonial figurehead of the organisation.