Fiji reinstated in Commonwealth after five years

Fiji was today reinstated into the Commonwealth as a full member, five years after it was suspended following a military coup in the South Pacific island nation.
The decision was taken by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) at their 44th meeting in New York, according to a press statement issued by Commonwealth.
The group that met in the wings of the 69th United Nations General Assembly advocated that the island nation's suspension from the Councils of the Commonwealth should be lifted in recognition of the democratic elections held in the country this month.
Congratulating the newly elected government led by Voreqe Bainimarama, the ministerial group called on all stakeholders in the country to continue working together to strengthen its democratic culture and encouraged them to explore opportunities for dialogue and national reconciliation.

The Commonwealth body particularly commended Fiji's eight elected female Members of Parliament and the appointment of Fiji's first female Speaker, Dr Jiko Luveni.
The body comprising nine foreign ministers was chaired by Bernard Membe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Tanzania.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma briefed the ministers on issues of concern in member countries at the meeting. The group will meet again in London earlier next year.
Fiji was suspended from the Councils following a military coup in 2006. A full suspension followed in 2009 following the abrogation of the country's constitution.
The nation has since been excluded from participating in sporting events and other Commonwealth activities. It was also restricted from attending intergovernmental Commonwealth meetings, including Heads of Government meetings and ministerial meetings.

Earlier this year, Fiji's full suspension was scaled back, enabling the country to participate in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.