The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) has refrained from declaring whether the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed was constitutional, but has called for a “formal” independent and impartial investigation with the involvement of international partners.
In a press conference held in London on Wednesday, CMAG noted the formation of an inquiry by the new Maldivian government, but said it “strongly felt that there should be international participation in any investigative mechanism, as may be mutually agreed by political parties in Maldives.”
Echoing calls from other international bodies including the European Union, the Commonwealth called on 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.”
Such a dialogue, CMAG urged, “should facilitate the opening of the Majlis (parliament) 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,” CMAG stated.
CMAG further expressed “strong concern” at the ongoing arrest warrant issued against former President Nasheed, “and urged that this issue be addressed in order that his ability to participate fully in the electoral process is not prejudiced.”
Furthermore, “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.”
The Maldives would no longer participate in the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group while it remained on the Commonwealth’s watch list, the statement added, however the country would not be suspended from the Commonwealth itself.
“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.”
Responding to questions at the London press conference, CMAG stated that the circumstances of Nasheed’s resignation “remain unclear to us” and said that “a more formal inquiry is needed, with international support.”
“Both parties have requested the help of the secretariat, and CMAG has made clear it is fully supportive and will lend what support it can.”
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) issued a statement on Wednesday evening “fully endorsing” CMAG’s recommendations.
“First, that an independent and impartial investigation of the events of 6-7 February should be completed in a transparent manner within a reasonable timeframe, and that there should be international participation in any investigative mechanism, as may be mutually agreed by political parties in Maldives. MDP notes that, unfortunately, Dr Waheed has already failed to comply with this recommendation,” the party said, referring to his appointment of two former ministers of Gayoom’s regime to the inquiry commission, including the former defence minister.
“Second, that key parties to the crisis should commence an immediate dialogue, without preconditions, to agree on a date for early elections, which should take place within this calendar year. The MDP remains ready to participate in serious discussions in this regard with other political parties that have a democratic mandate.”
“Third that such a dialogue should facilitate the opening of the Parliament session as scheduled on 1 March 2012, which should in turn 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. MDP believes securing such amendments should be the sole focus of the new parliamentary session. Other parliamentary business, including the annual Presidential Address, must be cancelled.”
“Fourth, the decision to appoint a Special Envoy to the Maldives, and the call for all sides to respect human rights and refrain from violence and incitement.”
The MDP further agreed with CMAG’s decision to suspend the country’s membership of CMAG “until such a time as the crisis is resolved and until a democratically-elected government once again holds office.”
President Mohamed Waheed Hassan meanwhile responded thanking CMAG for its recommendations, “recognising the challenges we face as a nation and the honest attempts of the National Unity Government to deal with them.”
“The CMAG recognises that progress will only be made if peace and harmony return to our streets, political parties put aside partisan advantage and put the nation first, all parties join in a genuine dialogue without preconditions.
“We have already established an Independent National Enquiry Commission look into the events surrounding the transfer of power on February 7. Clearly as it is independent it will be for them to decide if they wish to take up the generous offer of international assistance in its deliberations,” Dr Waheed said.
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All Patriotic Maldivians, boycott Villa Gas.
Jew Jew Simpson, you are an evil twat, you surely knows how to twist and exagerate things. Commonwealth has not suspended Maldives from anthing. Here is what they say on their offical website "The CMAG 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". If your small head has a brain, try to get in it that this means that Maldives will not participate in CMAG meetings as long as its under scrutiny. Foreigners like you come to this country with the intention of destroying this place. Why don't you just mind your own fishing business and get lost, back to the rat hole from where you came from.
Dear Citizens of Malaysia, Former President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who is residing in your country has used your beloved soil to plan, organize and has carried out a coup in our beloved country Maldives.
We kindly request Government of Malaysia to deport this terrorist traitor Maumoon Abdul Gayoom back to his country Maldives which he has betrayed, he is required here in his home country to face treason and sedition charges.
Sincerely
Maldivian.
Nasheed/MDP should be re- instated as the legal government and elections held as soon as possible. Let the people decide.
Coup leaders:
1. Kibi Maumoon
2. Conrad or Crown Company Saleem
3. Bandos Waheedheen.
4. Sultan Thasneem
5. Kaminee Yamin
6. Buruma Gasim
Needs to face sedition and treason charges.
As a deterrent all there assets needs to be confiscated by the state so that no such thought will enter any potential coup planner.
What the hell do you think abeyance mean, you damn moron.
Good move by the Commonwealth.
A*bey*ance
noun
"A state of temporary disuse or suspension"
Yasir,
It is one thing to offer criticism, it is quite another to be so xenophobic and racist.
If you object so strongly to JJ personally, refrain from reading the paper of which he is the editor.
If you have objections to the content he writes, then object to it without resorting to personal attacks.
There is no need to use this as a platform to display your sheer ignorance, and to make us feel ashamed to be Maldivians.
JJ has done more to bring us professional journalism than most idiots who call themselves 'reporters' in this country.
So please, if you have nothing constructive to say, piss off, and don't make us witnesses to your xenophobia.
support the Boycott of Villa hotels and travels
CW 'suspends' Maldives.??!! when?
Mr. JJ. I believe it would be less inaccurate to say that CW wants Maldives in suspenders.
@Yasir
"Abeyance" means suspension, you moron.
"We have already established an Independent National Enquiry Commission look into the events surrounding the transfer of power on February 7. Clearly as it is independent ..."
Can you repeat that again Mr Waheed? What definition of "independent" are you using here. It's not what the rest of the world would consider "independent".
Mr Waheed handpicked 3 invididuals, 2 of whom happen to have been former cabinet ministers under Gayyoom. One of them was his Defence Minister! Do you really think you'll fool the rest of the world by sending special envoys to London and Colombo to spread these lies?
as far as we know, the word "abeyance" refers to suspend temporarily. on that regard, in short, Maldives is suspended from CMAG...
Yasir, you and your people like Dr Jameel and his colleagues who gave a press conference on the CMAG statement last night, may try to deny what the implications of CMAG's decision are, as much as you like, but the fact remains that CMAG has called for early elections and that for sure isn't because CMAG is convinced about the legitimacy of your Government. Dr Jameel looked really desperate trying to convince everyone that the CMAG had concluded that the transfer of power was not a coup! Haha! That guy obviously has trouble understanding the fact that CMAG has not yet reached a decision on how the transfer of power occurred and that is the reason they have called for an investigation with international involvement. Frankly Dr Jameel looked like he was trying to convince us of a lot of things, that he himself wasn't convinced about.
Talking about the investigation, how can it be impartial with people like Ismail Shafeeu in the committee. He is a strong ally to the maumoon regime. Maybe these fools need to learn what "impartial" means.
All in all, CMAG has made a decision for democracy and the message is loud and clear, for those who have the guts to listen for what it is, rather than trying to twist the facts to try and save Dr Waheed's face. A bit late for that people. So bring on the elections will ya, Dr Waheed. And by the way even if you increase the wages of civil servants, and change their work hours, thank you, but we're not going to vote for you or your cronies!
Ismail Shafiu was Maumoon's Defence Minister who arrested Nasheed (Anni) at Jumhooree Maidhan in August 2005. There is now way he can be considered independent. President Waheed seems to be trying to hide something.
Ahem, you can see when the little tin pot dictator's allies get agitated. They resort to foul language and personal attacks. That's always a give away sign 🙂
Well, Mr Tiny Tin Pot Dictator Waheed will be quivering in his pants a bit now. He's dispatched his boy Hassan Saeed to the London and the money man Deen to Colombo. Must be feeling the heat a bit...
Maldives is NOT suspended from Commonwealth but since it has been placed on the "formal agenda" of CMAG, its membership in CMAG is in abeyance or temporary suspension. It cannot participate in CMAG as when a member of CMAG is under scrutiny by the Group itself, it is not prudent for that member to sit in a panel where it is being judged.
Yellows !!!! You have had your time ... Now where you are today is where you belong !!!! You all got too greedy !!!! You all gave a deaf ear to democracy !!! You all became so self centred that you all saw only you and only yellow !!! You all swore to yellow nothing but yellow !!! You all forgot about the people !!! You all forgot about the nation and it's children !!! You all became the monter that we all joined hands to get rid of !!! you all became " MAUMOON "
http://www.sun.mv/15597 According to Sunfm, Mujuthaba has been removed from Inquiry Commission upon his request. I think Umar Zahir will be good to work with Ismail Shafeeu. Another person without a conscience.
Hayaakkuda Baagheennah haqqu adhabu libeyenekan mihaaru yaqeen kashavaru.............Praise be to Allah SWT
The report said "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"
This means that as long as Maldives is in the formal agenda of CWAG then Maldives cannot participate in the meetings as there be conflict of interest.
"as it is independent it will be for them to decide if they wish to take up the generous offer of international assistance"
It's time our dear soon to be ex President gets his head out of his arse and face reality. In this age of social media you can only lie to yourself. For the dimwits of PPM- The Commonwealth is not offering assistance but ensuring, with international members that the inquiry has a bit more credibility than our Ablo Ghazee's court.
PS:
When is Minivan upgrading the site? I suggest a "recommend" and a "report abuse" button for comments. Rascist and bigoted comments should not be published. We have Sun Online for that.
@Yasir
This filthy racist and hatred that you freely spit out is why you and uour cronies are going to be found out and expelled from power. Game up!
We all suspected your low IQ - abeyance means to be excluded. I suggest you look up a word before you try and put the world to rights.
This illegitimate government should be on trial for Treason, not given the dignity to fight an election. As for the Malaysian gang, well, isn't Malalaysia part of the Commonwealth? Careful where you go to hide boys???
@JJ - good honest reporting and you are the only one in the entire country doing this. The world knows who you are and needs you. If they so much as touch you, it will help the cause. Look at the world reaction to the journalist in Homs yesterday. Keep up the noble work that you do so brilliantly on the behalf of all free thinking honest Maldivians.
@Yasir and everybody. forget the definition of abeyance. the statement has another sentence: "It decided, accordingly, that Maldives should not participate in CMAG during this time."
what does that mean? simply stay the f* out? maybe Yasir can "translate" that for his/her idiot Maldivians?
just to clear up the matter off what "abeyance" is by the Oxford dictionary:
abeyance |əˈbāəns|
noun
a state of temporary disuse or suspension : matters were held in abeyance pending further inquiries.
JJ English may be your language,but I believe you need to learn it more. For whom you guys are trying to show CM and scare, is it Maldivian population? That era of Commonwealth and British colonization is history. We are in 21st century, no country has right to interfere other countries internal affairs. Its crystal clear Muhmaad Nasheed breach the constitution of Maldives in many occasions, he will be brought to justice for high treason charges.Then what CM will say.
Abeyance: Temporarily set aside; suspension
@yassir
Maldives is under scrutiny by CMAG. Maldives is a member of CMAG.Scrutiny means close observation; surveillance...The eyes of truth are always watching you...... so bark as loud as u can....... They are watching all your moves... keke.
@ all Maldivians Morons
What a bunch of ignorant, racist dimwits you all are............judging by your comments. You seem to have no respect for anyone. Not surprising that your country is in the political mess it is. Its 1988 all over again.
Not only should Maldives be throw out of the Commonwealth........because you contribute nothing............you should also be slung out of the United Nations.
Can't wait for global warming to commence!!
If you object so strongly to JJ personally, refrain from reading the paper of which he is the editor.
This website we are getting very useful information but we understand this media is a supporter of Nasheed which they have lot of power, to get international media attention, they have lot of connection with former Ministers and Government officials which they will not write any dark side of them about truth.
@ Dhivesseh on Thu, 23rd Feb 2012 2:07 AM
Applaud your thoughts completely. It's people like 'Yasir' who make us feel ashamed of being Maldivians. Such maldivians who resort to racist and personal attacks should be chased out of the country.
@yasir: "Why don’t you just mind your own fishing business and get lost, back to the rat hole from where you came from"
It's people like you who has made Maldives a rat hole and all of us into stinking rats!! Shame on the likes of you!
Thanks Ordinary Man. I was just going to paste the dictionary meaning here when I saw the comment which you replied to.
Yasir, silly twat, you surely don't know how to use a dictionary. If your small head has a brain, try to get in it that this means that The CMAG 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 AKA. SUSPENSION as long as it remained on the formal agenda of CMAG.
Maldivians like you living in this country with the intention of destroying knowledge.
"Why don’t you just mind your own fishing business and get lost, back to the rat hole from where you came from."
@Indira NewDelhi: And your statement is any less racist?
Wow the activist brigade really dusted off their dictionaries today. Or did u threefinger double abeyance for the definition? If u keep reassuring ur selves dat much u might burn a hole through the loop in the b in abeyance
*><*Double Click
Horee, applause for CMAG!! thanks for endorsing democracy here..
poor baghee waheed, u have to step down soon...we are not deaf and blind, man!! we know which one is right!
My pray to you ya Allah, i wish these traitors of this country will be punished in justice court fairly!! they are not deserved to be leaders anymore!! they are the culprits of this big crime coup!! amin
All those who support freedom and democracy "BOYCOTT VILLA GAS" for the betterment of our Country.
He is one of them Business Goons who paid to carry out this coup in Maldives on the 7 February 2012.
"BOYCOTT VILLA GAS"
"BOYCOTT VILLA GAS"
"BOYCOTT VILLA GAS"
"BOYCOTT VILLA GAS"
"BOYCOTT VILLA GAS"
"BOYCOTT VILLA GAS"
"BOYCOTT VILLA GAS"
"BOYCOTT VILLA GAS"
Thank you all Patriots who love our motherland Maldives.
"Yasir" please stick to "Fahkadaa Zahiru Husseins" newspaper "Haveeru" by reading that kind of news, it will be easier for you to control your blood pressure and your blood sugar.
Good good, suspension from CMAG would convey a message to Waheed,
@ Indira NewDelhi
Maldives does not make contributions simply because it is not a useful organisation.
Commonwealth and the British Empire needs Maldives but Maldives has no need commonwealth, especially now when with Her Majesty's Government in debt upto her hilt. We may as well join the former soviet empire. At least they have oil.
Isn't it funny that "FAHKADA Zahiru Hussein's" news paper Haveeru is more worried about the damage done to few hand full of building and machine than the damage done to our brother and sisters skin, muscles and borns.
Fahkada Zahiru Hussein don't mind about the amount of our blood being spilled on to the streets of Maldives.
Why have he Fahkadaa Zahir Hussein not mentioned how Judas Waheed Painted the Cities red with our blood to celebrate his first day in office.
Fahkadaa Zahiru Hussein is more worried about the pain cause to few building and handful of buses which has absolutly no feelings, You freaking "HAVEERU" owner. Judas Waheed perhaps need you as well to "Fahkada Zahiru Hussein"s labor of love.
Does Fahkadaa Zahiru Hussein know that Human Being were admitted to hospital due to Judas Waheed's brutality and still they are being treated.
Those wounds will never heal, the blood that was spilled on to our streets will haunt Judas Dracula Waheed for ever.
Doesn't this maniac "Yasir" sound like frog Mundhoodhu?
Our Youth Minister haha hahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
ri bit ri bit ri bit ri bit ri bit ri bit ri bit ri bit ri bit ri bit
I support "Gay", all those who use "Villa Gas" for cooking please stop purchasing gas from "Villa Company" change the company.
Bruma Gasim is a Bandit and need to be tried for sedition and treason soon.
Yes: Boycott Villa Gas.
Villa Gas Gannaa Neh Baa. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
We are bleeding, hurting and crying because of the owner of villa gas Gasim Philanthropist Ibrahim. Traitor, you damn greedy Pig.
What is that you don't have, you filthy damn Midas
A talented display of eloquence in the comments. Maldivians are really the best in being childish, hence, the stupidity at the Tsunami Monument area, and the boycott of the meeting with other political parties.
Impartial Comment" you must be the long lost brother of Yasir and frog Mundhoodhu.
Don't you people wonder why no representative of the foreign ministry was not represent at the news conference with regard to CMAG.
Surely that Moyamoons Daughter Dunya Moyamoon would have been nice if she took part in the Judas Waheeds Phoney Ministry sorry Foreign Ministry.
It is sad that some of us are inflicting pressure on our selves by going overboard and beyond to commit injury to some parts of our body!
The outcome of CMAG visit can only be encouraging when both parties stick to the points noted in their voicing.
It's hard to believe avoiding incitement, can be observed due to what happened following President Nasheed said to be forced to resign.
Dr. Waheed's independent committee to investigate this incident is the face of how independent their inquiry can be!
It is stunning!
A 100% Maldivian committee with whosoever in, cannot be trusted.
Not now!
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) has refrained from declaring whether the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed was constitutional, but has called for a “formal” independent and impartial investigation with the involvement of international partners.
This statement means, by extension, that the resignation was not constitutional but the Commonwealth wants an independent or impartial investigation to show the validity of Nasheed's resignation. The investigation must involve international participation. A wholly local commission will not fulfill the Commonwealth requirement of the investigation.
The Constitution says the president can resign ‘if he ‘wants to’. The key word ‘wants to’ is important and suggests that the resignation must be voluntary. However, the circumstances under which Mr Nasheed resigned suggest that he was forced to do so by the police exhausted by just 21 days of opposition protest and the military persuaded by the opposition businessmen leaders who sponsored the protests.
Thus, for the present regime to be constitutional the elected president Nasheed’s 7 February resignation must be voluntary.