18 March 2012, Malé; The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Dunya Maumoon, responded today to the statement issued by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). In her response the State Minister expressed the Government's disappointment at the unbalanced nature of the CMAG statement but also emphasised the Government's determination to continue to work with CMAG to bring calm to the political situation in the Maldives.
"The Government has made clear that it is prepared to discuss holding of early elections once conditions in the country are conducive to a free and fair poll, and the necessary amendments are brought to the Constitution. At the moment the conditions are clearly not conducive. The country is polarised, there are daily protests, the Constitution still states that elections must be held at the end of 2013 - not before, the capacity of independent institutions needs enhancing, and important secondary legislation remains pending.
This is why the Government has made clear that providing a date for early elections cannot be viewed in isolation but rather as part of a wider agreement between political parties designed to bring calm, amend the Constitution, enact key legislations, strengthen the judiciary and support independent institutions. That was the aim of the all-party talks, which MDP walked away from when they chose to block the opening of parliament."
Ms Dunya Maumoon also urged the "CMAG and other parts of the international community to show balance in their public statements, in order to reflect the complex and inter-linked reality of the situation. Notwithstanding, we look forward to continuing to work with CMAG and the Commonwealth Special Envoy over the coming weeks in order to secure a broad and comprehensive all-party agreement. The Maldives also reaffirms its commitment to the Commonwealth and its core values."
ENDS