Maldives quits Commonwealth, citing 'unfair' treatment

The Maldives government says it has decided to leave the Commonwealth because the grouping of former British colonies has treated it "unjustly and unfairly" and sought to interfere in its politics.

The statement on Thursday by the Foreign Ministry comes weeks after the Commonwealth threatened the country with suspension if it failed to show progress in key democratic governance issues by next March.

It said the Commonwealth seemed to think Maldives could be used as an easy way to increase the organisation's relevance and leverage in international politics.