The Commonwealth Ministerial Action (CMAG) has said it will consider taking “further and stronger measures” against the Maldives government unless the composition of its Committee of National Inquiry (CNI) is revised in the next four weeks.
During a meeting held in London today that was attended by representatives of both the government and the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), CMAG continued to call for fresh elections to be called this year.
The need for long-term measures to strengthen the capacity of the country’s judicial sector, as well as fresh party talks between the country’s most senior political representatives to help resolve the current political situation was also raised.
Following the conclusion of today’s talks, CMAG said its members were critical of the government’s attempts so far to establish an independent enquiry into the exact nature of how President Mohamed Waheed Hassan came to power earlier this year.
The CNI, which is charged by the government with looking into the legality and legitimacy of the transfer of presidential power on February 7, was set up amidst international calls to provide an independent assessment of the legitimacy of President Mohamed Waheed Hassan’s administration.
The now opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which alleges that former President Mohamed Nasheed was deposed in a coup d’état, has refused to work with the CNI claiming it lacks impartiality and had no international representation.
While reiterating its previous calls for presidential elections to be held by the end of this year, CMAG said it was with “deep regret that there had been little progress towards a political understanding in the Maldives” during the last month.
“The Group was of the view that the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI), established to assess the events leading to the transfer of power on 7 February 2012, is not independent or impartial, and has failed to gain sufficient support in Maldives,” CMAG said in a statement.
“Ministers urged the Government to review immediately the composition and terms of reference of the Commission to make it genuinely independent, credible and impartial. CMAG reiterated the Commonwealth’s offer to provide assistance in this regard.”
Amidst the concerns said to be held by the CMAG over the independence of the CNI and its ability to conduct an independent enquiry into the change of government back in February, the body also set out a time-line for the government to adhere to in order to enact reforms.
“Further and stronger measures”
“Should the composition and terms of reference of the [CNI] not be amended within four weeks in a manner that is generally acceptable and enhances its credibility, CMAG would be compelled to consider further and stronger measures,” the body concluded.
Aside from continuing to push for the establishment of fresh elections by the end of 2012, CMAG added that it also supported Commonwealth’s assistance in order to “strengthen democratic processes, institutions and culture in the Maldives.”
“In this context, it expressed support for the Commonwealth Secretariat’s technical assistance for strengthening for the long term the capacity of the judicial sector, as agreed with the authorities in Maldives,” CMAG added.
“It also welcomed the Secretary-General’s offer to provide elections-related assistance. The Group further called for the capacity of the Majlis to be strengthened.”
In supporting these stated aims, CMAG additionally welcomed ongoing collaborations between other international parties such as the UN and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
The CMAG panel that presided over today’s talks was comprised of Foreign Ministers from member states including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Jamaica, Sierra Leone,Tanzania and Trinidad and Tobago.
The representatives during the course of the talks were updated on the current situation in the Maldives by the Commonwealth Secretary General and his Special Envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon who has visited the country to meet with various representatives from both sides of the political divide.
The Maldives government was represented at the talks by Attorney General Aishath Azima Shakoor, who presented evidence during the day to the CMAG panel. Dr Farahanaz Faizal also met with the CMAG panel as a representative for former President Mohamed Nasheed.
Azima Shakoor could not be contacted by Minivan News at the time of going to press for her reaction to CMAG’s conclusions.
By-election “mandate”
Speaking to Minivan News yesterday ahead of today’s CMAG meeting, President’s Office spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza said that the government felt the success of its coalition partners in three out of four by-elections over the weekend was an indication of its “mandate” amongst the Maldivian people.
Abbas therefore called on international bodies such as CMAG to take the results of the weekend’s polls into consideration when reflecting on the need for early presidential elections before the ones already scheduled for 2013.
“It is clear that there is public support in the country for this government and that there are not any problems with its constitutional mandate to be in power. In three out of the four elections held, the coalition won by a clear majority,” he said at the time. “The MDP has continued to call for early elections, though yesterday’s elections show that the public backs the government until early elections can be held in July 2013.”
In a statement released Saturday whilst polling was being conducted, the MDP maintained the by-elections indicated that the country was able to hold “free and fair elections” as soon as possible.
“The MDP has consistently called for early presidential elections in the Maldives to resolve the political deadlock that exists since the unlawful transfer of power on February 7 following police and military backed coup in the Maldives,” stated party spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor .
“Elections today are held at a time when [former President Maumoon Abdul] Gayoom has publicly stated early Presidential elections would not be held in the Maldives citing conditions for elections are not right and also that Elections Commission does not have the capacity to hold early elections in the Maldives.”
CMAG was last month accused by members of President Waheed’s government of showing “bias” towards certain political parties in calling for general elections as early as possible to resolve questions over the administrations legitimacy.
The government later said it was concerned over the “language” used by the Commonwealth in its statement.
The President’s Office said last month said that although it was not for the time being looking to leave the Commonwealth, it added that such a move could be considered if CMAG continued to use similar language in the future.
“If this language continues, we will look to consider our position [in the Commonwealth],” government spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza told Minivan News at the time.
The government later denied it had made such claims, alleging to local media that the report in Minivan News had been “politically motivated”.
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@Neil
"CMAG warns of “stronger measures”
I cannot see anything in your article justifying above statement. Your article title and body does not seem to match.
Do not offend our sovereignty, O' would be imperialists. We are a manly nation, and we will not be obsequious to organizations or nations led by Queens.
You should all be garrotted on the spot! Alhamdulillaah!
On what grounds is CMAG saying that CNI has failed to gain support in the Maldives?Do they think that Maldives is composed of only MDP citizens?The majority of the people are on the govt.'s side.This CMAG statement is highly biased and influenced by the British parliament, and has no consideration to the Constitution of Maldives.I can see how small countries can be bullied by the Commonwealth!!!
It is not a question of how Dr.Waheed came into power. That question is easily answered in our Constitution. The question is why did Nasheed resign, and how he reached to the point of resignation.Surprising how even ministers of Commonwealth nations get carried away and loose focus in the face of British influence to support a fake democratic president.
@Mohamed on Mon, 16th Apr 2012 10:24 PM
"This CMAG statement is highly biased and influenced by the British parliament, and has no consideration to the Constitution of Maldives.I can see how small countries can be bullied by the Commonwealth!!!"
It's not just MDP who are dissatisfied with the regime's lack of willingness to inquire into the events leading to the downfall of the first ever democratically elected government of the Maldives. There are thousands of people like myself, who are either apolitical or do not support MDP, but do not believe in the integrity of the current regime.
You cannot brush us aside, merely saying the "majority" of Maldivians suppor the regime. What evidence do you have? Just because a group of politicians determined so is not enough. The only way to find out is by asking the country's electorate!
If you are dissatisfied with the high standards of the Commonwealth, then you can leave it and be like other dictatorships throughout the world. It's your choice and no one forces you to be in the Commonwealth!
Their has to be international members, or else it is a fix.
I am fully supported CMAG statement.No one can above the law.Thanks for helping to get rid off this useless government.
CMAG should investigate how the Queen's uncle, King Edward as forced to resign and the controversial circumstances under which her father ,George became King. I think a Maldivian must be represented in the Inquiry Commission.
Anyway, when the wind of democratic change is blowing across the world why is there still an unelected feudal ruler in England? And why don't Canada and Australia still have an undemocratic non-elected Head of State?
Shame!
Anti semitic, christianophobic xenophobe tutankhamun mamoon feels there is an ulterior motive behind the international community's call for restoration of democracy in the tiny islands! Vetican city is to be transfered to Guraidhoo Island, brick by brick. Incompetent AG could not defend the indefensible- It was great to observe her being grilled at the CMAG meeting.
Nothing short of an invasion by the Queens Ungodly army, could dislocate the government of "Waheed &co."
There it will remain, till the next foreseeable election. The elections should the Corporation fail to secure, it will be rigged such that victory is assured for the Coalition-of-the-willing.
We may also question the legitimacy of the transfer of power in Libya, or any other number of places which were bombed because they were not British enough. Like these places we also have traitors in our midst, who conspire to anglicize it's governments and culture at the behest of ethnic identity and flavor.
However at the risk of inviting very real fears into the Arabization of Europe, we assure you the conservative anti-liberals (The coalition against drinking)in this country will comb heaven and earth if that is what becomes necessary to ensure that the MDP Ladheenee Snakes do not find their way back to power again. We refer not to the everyday supporter of MDP (not necessarily)- we refer instead to the values and ethos that MDP core ideals represent and manifest. This is what will be killed.
The religious movement that has crept into the halls of power is a hydra with many heads. They are an idea which cannot be killed. All is fair in this game of cat & mouse (maybe it is love, maybe it is war), and hunt these snakes numerically is what we will do.
The liberals while vocal (and effectively hidden behind/within the Anni Movement), they are a minority. A minority which will soon be roadkill.
Excuse me Sir/Madam,
Maldives must leave the Commonwealth. It is no place for a great nation like Maldives.
I agree with Professor Waheed and his team. The Commonwealth is a satellite of Mohamed Nasheed and his British masters.
CMAG has become a bullie. The memebrs in the CMAG have turnished the reputation of Commonwealth. The seem to have have completely ignored the sentiments of the majority of the Maldivians. Completely disgusted with the CMAG. CAMG does not determine our constituion. These CMAG members better do their homework before they call for early elections. Majority of Maldivians unfortunately do not trust Commonwealth can play an impartial role in assisting Maldives to foster democracy. CMAG's statemenst always been amaturish and lacked evidence. The members in this CMAG has brought shame to Commonwealth.
to save Maldives we need early presidential election or label as a MILITARY STATE, then there is no people but only police and MNDF not MDP citizens.
@Miner on Tue, 17th Apr 2012 2:29 AM
"The seem to have have completely ignored the sentiments of the majority of the Maldivians."
Yet another fool claiming to represent the "majority"! Where's this majority that you speak of? Will the "majority", please raise your hands? Ahem, that's called a general election, you fool!
@Your Worst Nightmare on Tue, 17th Apr 2012 1:19 AM
"The liberals while vocal (and effectively hidden behind/within the Anni Movement), they are a minority. A minority which will soon be roadkill."
You wish! The Maldives passed a point of no return in 2008. You cannot reclaim the glorious days when you could sit inside the air-conditioned comfort of a Palace, cushioned from the blood, sweat and tears of the ordinary folk.
Claiming to uphold Islam, the likes of you brandished your golden Rolexes, drove in luxury cars, sailed the most expensive yachts in the world and "retreated" to your private little heavens.
It must be hard to realise that those days will never return! Liberal democracy shall return to this country.
To the CMAG I would to state "you are ugly and if you don't clean up I will spank you". See; I can make baseless, irrational statements and demands too. Where are facts?
Now from these reactions here, we see waheed government supporters being unable to digest the fact that the international community supports democracy in the Maldives. Thank you Commonwealth for being strong and consistent in your call for the return of democracy in our country.
Its time Maldives ventured into the 21st century.
Let go of Bedouin culture. Recognize the fact that non-muslims live. Let go of racism against non-muslims. Democratic values over religious culture.
CMAG and most the world do not support Arabian style Islamic backward lazy culture. Move on. Work to earn living.
No wonder contenders for Nobel prizes for stupidity, ignorance, laziness all come from middle east.
Presidential spokes person maybe don't understand English that about CMAG report. Because he talks something else always. Better bring the CMAG report in Dhivehi. Than only he understand. Please someone translate this report in Dhivehi and send him. Looking forward to have a election very soon on this year. Good Luck
It was a coup and all the evidence confirms this!
ELECTION NOW.
It is important for the International Institutions to continue supporting the Maldives in its democratisation process, especially opening up to internal norms and values.
The Maldives is controlled by an oligarchy composed of few powerful businesses, the arab-islamic educated establishment and the 30-year regime loyalists.
Without international support the status quo will continue and the average Maldivian will live in the coziness of self-sesorship, strangled by the sheer helplessness to change things and accepting things that are grossly unjust.
“CMAG warns of “stronger measures”
I cannot see anything in your article justifying above statement. Your article title and body does not seem to match.
i just want to repeat this comment. MINIVAN THE MOST (NOT)INDEPENDENT NEWS
the conclusion from CMAG shows that they can fully accept Waheed and co.
that is why they are calling to have an election by the end of 2012.
CMAG - the only international body who probed the events that led to transfer of power in Feb.
i hope the language used by CMAG does not offend Abbas Adil Riza this time.
well done CMAG! this gives a tiny bit of hope to our young democracy. establishing human rights and true justice... i salute those who worked so hard to prove our cause. Asima Shukoor and the traitors can blind and buy the islanders vote...but not the world.. they are not greater than the knowledge this world holds...waheed come and waheed gooo..a happy day for democrats, liberals and freedom lovers 🙂
Mohamed on Tue, 17th Apr 2012 12:09 AM
A head of State in a parliamentary democracy is a ceremonial post. It is the head of govt (usually a prime minister) who wields political power.
Our Honourable MP Riyaz (the island idiot) has already embarrassed us enough over this matter, why would you want to pick his mantle?
Commonwealth has no real power.
Beyond failing to deal with the rights abusers and fake democrats (such as x-president of Maldives Nasheed) in its midst, the Commonwealth is actively encouraging applications by repressive governments such as Rwanda which do not meet the Commonwealth's own criteria for membership as set out in the 1991 Harare declaration.
Aminath on Mon, 16th Apr 2012 10:12 PM
@Neil
“CMAG warns of “stronger measures”
I cannot see anything in your article justifying above statement. Your article title and body does not seem to match.
Mohamed on Tue, 17th Apr 2012 8:54 AM
“CMAG warns of “stronger measures”
I cannot see anything in your article justifying above statement. Your article title and body does not seem to match.
i just want to repeat this comment. MINIVAN THE MOST (NOT)INDEPENDENT NEWS
So the "independence" and objectivity of Minivan is dependent on your ability to read?
I fully support and welcome the very important decision of the CMAG.There is no doubt that Dr. Waheed came on the power was led by a coup organized by the Maldives army and police force and with financial support from some greedy business men in the country!
Therefore as proposed by the CMAG's, it is very crucial at this stage to find the true facts , which led to brought down the MDP government and this process should be thoroughly investigate by an autonomous body.
There is no reason to believe, The great Maldives feeds The lowly British hehe..... You eat tuna n i too eat tuna! No Maldivian is ego as to point fingers to a powerful International body as CMAG!
Those Maldivians whose both eyes are blind wont see the coup on 07th February..
CMAG cannot force Maldives to go for an early election in 2012. According to the constitution the earliest an election can be held is only in July 2013. How can the Maldivians allow CMAG to go against the Maldivian constitution...
@Ahmed bin Addu bin Suvadheeb
Hey if the Queen is doing it/ other also can. Lol
You are living in a little time bubble... the great mission to civilize the East & the Orient is back-firing/ henceforth we stand ready to crush those urges you feel in the nether regions to be liberal...
Come out on to the streets and we will beat you with more than just batons.
Also one does not need a yellow-headband to notice a liberal scumbag. We will target and silence all such dissent... and much more.
And the version of Islam that will be fostered we will decide.
you ready? scared yet. Not really. I will buy off everything and everyone, and build bigger armies, till we start knocking on your doors... you cannot go crying to America and Britain like the yesterdays, now we also have allies (bigger and more powerful than these failing empires)
now fall beneath my feet. and my rolexes. They just saved your life.
It is my hope and the hopes of many of our people that Dr Waheed will allow international participation into the forced resignation of President Nasheed. President Nasheed was elected by the people of the Maldives . If Nasheed violated the constitution as he stands accused, and had to be removed from office he should have been impeached by the elected members of the people. Not forced to resign by a group of uniformed officers who knew blood would be shed if President Nasheed took action against their rebellion or mutiny or whatever you call what they did and gambled on that. We do not want to become another Pakistan. Where every time a group of officers decide they do not like their Head of their State they replace them at their whim. We do not wish to become a Police State. However Dr Saeed wishes to spin it, however unique a coup this is as he has said so himself, we need to know what happened to force our elected President to resign. We must have international particpation in the investigation. We want the truth, we want justice. We need to move on from this shameful page of our history. This is not about Nasheed the person this is about rule of law.
The spokesperson of Dr. Waheed, Abbas Adil Riza, or non of the supporters of this regime will know the meaning of what is said in the CMAG concluding statement dated 16th April 2012, especially the following:
“18. CMAG reiterated its belief that early elections should be called by the end of 2012.
19. The Group was of the view that the Commission of National Inquiry, established to assess the events leading to the transfer of power on 7 February 2012, is not independent or impartial, and has failed to gain sufficient support in Maldives. Ministers urged the Government to review immediately the composition and terms of reference of the Commission to make it genuinely independent, credible and impartial. CMAG reiterated the Commonwealth’s offer to provide assistance in this regard.
20. CMAG agreed that, should the composition and terms of reference of the Commission not be amended within four weeks in a manner that is generally acceptable and enhances its credibility, CMAG would be compelled to consider further and stronger measures.”
Morons would rather understand when they are told; " If you are not make the inquiry commission independent and impartial within four weeks, and if you are not going to call the people for a vote before the end of 2012, we are going to "puft" you"!!!!
"This is not about Nasheed the person this is about rule of law!" - very true!
Pre-coupe offenses are "under investigation", but post-coupe offenses are already on its way to prosecution!
Abdulla Mohamed's cases pending and under investigation, and Nasheed to be prosecuted immediately!
Dr. Waheed announced he will uphold rule of law!!!!! If this is rule of law; !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This has made me say two things.
1. We should get out of Commonwealth.
2. Maldivian Foreign Ministry has failed very badly.
Enough is enough!
Ahmed, since you are such a firm believer in the power of the Constitution, why don't you also call for President Waheed to step down since I don't recall ever seeing anything about a coup being acceptable in the Constitution. The Constitution also gives all of us a lot of rights, and our right to vote in our Government was taken away by the coup, why don't you talk about that? The CMAG didn't come calling for early elections while we still had the democratically elected Government in place, now what we have is a coup government, and there's nothing democratic about it. Don't you see the link between Democracy and the Constitution?
Abbas you need to get some training from Master of Spin Hassan Saeed. Your spin is so pathetic it is embarassing!
Head of State in England is an unelected feudal ruler. Some apologists ofcourse say she does not wield real power.
But in this 21st century why do we even have such an undemocratic institution. CMAG should investigate this feudal system in England. Give Cameron 4 weeks to get rid of the unelected Head of state or else...
@Miner.
Just unbeievable!!!
"They seem to have have completely ignored the sentiments of the majority of the Maldivians"
Where do you get this majority of Maldivians? 500 or more Uniformed Officers, 500 to 600 at most demonstrators, thugs with knoves , swords, cutters?
The majority, let me remind you my dear Miner suffering from short term and long term memory loss, elected President Nasheed as our President.
Dear Maldivians,
Is there any reason for an election to waste public money? we all saw nasheed announcing his resignation to public. he had his cabinet with him and reporters. then we saw former VP came to power, assisted by president of Parliament and chief justice who was proposed by former president nasheed for the post.
If nasheed was ousted in a coup, an independent investigation would show it clearly, and Maldives constitution allows to re-instate nasheed as a president again. why are they calling for an election?...please election is out of topic here in this saga.
Hmmm, majority? please note that majority of MPs support this government, it could be indirectly translated as Majority of Maldivians (including me, u and moosabe, Ali etc)....
MNDF, POLICE, Parliament (majority) support this government, High court and Supreme court which are formed in Nasheed's time in office, don't challenege the legitimacy of the current govmnt. ....so what does this mean????? CAN MDP RULE THIS NATION without above said institutions which effectively translats majority of Maldives.
Finally, (may be)MDP may have mahority now, but it doesnt mean that we should go for an election before Oct 2013.???? with that majority MDP should wait for next time....