The Commonwealth Secretariat's Second Assessment Mission arrived in Maldives on Saturday.
The Second Assessment is headed by Senior Director of the Governance and Peace Directorate of the Secretariat, Katalaina Saplou. During the course of the visit, the mission will meet the Parliament Speaker, cabinet ministers, members of independent institutions and the judiciary as well as other key officials.
The Commonwealth Secretariat conducted the First Assessment Mission in January 2019 after President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih formally requested the Commonwealth Secretary-General to allow Maldives to rejoin the organization in December 2018.
In April 2019, a Commonwealth Observer Group visited the country to observe the Parliamentary Elections and conveyed positive feedback concerning the proceedings.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid formally submitted all documentation required under the membership criteria to the Secretary-General in June 2019.
Maldives initially joined the Commonwealth on July 9, 1982, leaving on October 13, 2016, during the tenure of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, after 34 years as a member of the intergovernmental organization.
Rejoining the Commonwealth is a key pledge of President Solih and the decision to re-apply for membership was concluded within one week of the government's term in power.
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