UK “disappointed” by Maldives withdrawal from Commonwealth

The United Kingdom is disappointed that the Maldives has withdrawn from the Commonwealth, the country’s foreign secretary has said.

Adding to the chorus of concern over the decision, Boris Johnson said Thursday that the UK “regrets that the Maldives has chosen to leave.”

The UK will continue to work with the government to help strengthen democracy, particularly freedom of speech and the media and the independence of the judiciary, he said in a statement. “The stability of the country must be central to what happens next.”

The Maldives had quit the Commonwealth, after accusing the intergovernmental organisation of undermining the country’s sovereignty and independence, interfering in domestic affairs, and treating the country “unfairly and unjustly.”