Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations

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List of members of the Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 56 sovereign states. Most of them were British colonies or dependencies of those colonies.

No government in the Commonwealth exercises power over the others, as is the case in a political union. Rather, the Commonwealth is an international organization in which countries with diverse social, political, and economic backgrounds are regarded as equal in status, and cooperate within a framework of common values and goals, as outlined in the Singapore Declaration issued in 1971.[1] Such common values and goals include the promotion of democracy, human rights, good governance, the rule of law, civil liberties, equality before the law, free trade, multilateralism, and world peace, which are promoted through multilateral projects and meetings, such as the Commonwealth Games, held once every four years.[2]

The symbol of this free association is King Charles III, who serves as the Head of the Commonwealth. This position, however, does not imbue him with any political or executive power over any Commonwealth member states; the position is purely symbolic, and it is the Commonwealth Secretary-General who is the chief executive of the Commonwealth.[3]

The Commonwealth was first officially formed in 1926 when the Balfour Declaration of the Imperial Conference recognised the full sovereignty of dominions. Known as the “British Commonwealth”, the original and therefore earliest members were the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Irish Free State, and Newfoundland. It was re-stated by the 1930 conference and incorporated in the Statute of Westminster the following year (although Australia and New Zealand did not adopt the statute until 1942 and 1947 respectively).[4] In 1949, the London Declaration marked the birth of the modern Commonwealth and the adoption of its present name.[5] The members have a combined population of 2.4 billion, almost a third of the Earth’s population, of whom 1.21 billion live in India, and 95% live in Asia and Africa combined.[6] The most recent members to join were the Francophone African nations of Gabon and Togo on 29 June 2022, who along with Rwanda and Mozambique are unique in not having a historic constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom or other Commonwealth states.

Currently, fifteen of the member states are Commonwealth realms, with the Head of the Commonwealth as their heads of state, five others are monarchies with their own individual monarchs (Brunei, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malaysia and Tonga), and the rest are republics. The Republic of Ireland (as of 1949 according to the Commonwealth; 1936 according to the Irish government) and Zimbabwe (2003) are former members of the Commonwealth.

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Current members[edit]

All dates below are provided by the Commonwealth of Nations Secretariat members list, and population figures are as of 1 February 2020.[7]

^ A. Unless otherwise noted, independence was gained from the United Kingdom on the date (shown in column 2) of joining the Commonwealth.^ B. Not a member of the Commonwealth Foundation.^ C. Though Pakistan celebrates 14 August 1947 as its independence day, independence was officially granted at midnight, 15 August 1947. Therefore, its date of joining the Commonwealth would be 15 August 1947.^ D. Geographically a part of Asia, considered a European country in political geography.^ E. Constitutional monarchy that operates under a Westminster system. The monarch is not the same individual as the British monarch, hence making it not a Commonwealth realm.^ F. In geology, the Maltese Islands is located on the African Plate. The island group lies approx. 200 km south of the boundary between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate.[55] In political geography, Malta is considered a European country.

Former members[edit]

Dissolved members[edit]

Prospective members[edit]

^ G. The population figure is based on 2014 estimates.

Other candidates[edit]

The Commonwealth of Nations currently has 56 members. Current Commonwealth members (dark blue), overseas territories, associated states and crown dependencies (orange), suspended members (yellow), former members (pink), former members applying to rejoin (light blue), applicants without historical links to the UK (turquoise), other states with historical links to the UK (light green), and applicants with historical links to the UK (dark green)

Other states which have expressed an interest in joining the Commonwealth over the years or states which may be eligible to join the Commonwealth include: Bahrain,[65]Cambodia,[65]Egypt,[65] the Republic of Ireland,[65]Libya,[65]Nepal,[66][67]Sudan and Yemen.[68][69]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ “FAQs”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  2. ^ “Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles 1971”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
  3. ^ “Head of the Commonwealth”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 30 September 2006. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  4. ^ “The Commonwealth–History–Dominion Status”. Commonwealth of Nations. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  5. ^ “The Commonwealth–History–Modern Commonwealth”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  6. ^ “Country Comparisons – Population”. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 19 March 2009. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  7. ^ “Members”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  8. ^ “World population – Countrymeters”. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  9. ^ “Australia”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 14 February 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  10. ^ There is no equivalent provision as to the Commonwealth. However, for both the Commonwealth and the States, constitutional convention effectively excludes the monarch from any personal exercise of governmental power. The 1986 proclamation was an exception, approved by Australian ministers.
  11. ^ Kohen, Marcelo G. (2006). Secession. London: Cambridge University Press. p. 122. ISBN 978-0-521-84928-9.
  12. ^ a b c “Wind of Change”. Commonwealth of Nations. 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  13. ^ “Barbados to become a parliamentary republic by November 30”. Loop News Barbados. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021. […] we will make amendments to facilitate that transition to a new president to be sworn in on that day – November 30, 2021.
  14. ^ “Barbados elects first ever president ahead of becoming republic”. BBC News. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  15. ^ Pondi, Jean-Emmanuel (October 1997). “Cameroon and the Commonwealth of Nations”. The Round Table. 86 (344): 563–570. doi:10.1080/00358539708454389.
  16. ^ “Canada – History”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  17. ^ a b c “Dominion Status”. Commonwealth of Nations. 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  18. ^ McIntyre, W. David (January 2000). “Britain and the creation of the Commonwealth Secretariat”. Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History. 28 (1): 135–158. doi:10.1080/03086530008583082. S2CID 159673400.
  19. ^ Ingram, Derek (July 2000). “Commonwealth Update”. The Round Table. 89 (355): 311–55. doi:10.1080/00358530050083406. S2CID 219626283.
  20. ^ a b Ingram, Derek (April 2002). “Commonwealth Update”. The Round Table. 91 (364): 131–59. doi:10.1080/00358530220144148. S2CID 219627051.
  21. ^ Ingram, Derek; Soal, Judith (February 2007). “Commonwealth Update”. The Round Table. 96 (388): 2–28. doi:10.1080/00358530701189734. S2CID 219623258.
  22. ^ Fiji suspended from the Commonwealth Archived 2011-04-29 at the Wayback Machine. Commonwealth Secretariat, 1 September 2009; retrieved 11 April 2011.
  23. ^ Donmez, Ahmet Emin (3 January 2022). “Gabon set to join British Commonwealth this year: President”. Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  24. ^ “Statement by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma on The Gambia”. The Commonwealth. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  25. ^ “Gambia quits the Commonwealth”. The Guardian. 2 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  26. ^ “The Gambia presents formal application to re-join the Commonwealth” (Media Release). The Commonwealth. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  27. ^ “The Gambia rejoins the Commonwealth”. Commonwealth Secretariat. 8 February 2018.
  28. ^ Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957
  29. ^ a b Malaysia Act 1963
  30. ^ “Malaysia – History”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 3 February 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  31. ^ “Maldives – History”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  32. ^ “The Maldives and the Commonwealth”. Republic of Maldives. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
  33. ^ “Commonwealth Secretariat”. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  34. ^ Safi, Michael (13 October 2016). “Maldives quits Commonwealth over alleged rights abuses”. The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  35. ^ “Maldives becomes 54th member of Commonwealth family”. The Commonwealth. 1 February 2020.
  36. ^ Ingram, Derek (April 1996). “Commonwealth Update”. The Round Table. 85 (338): 153–165. doi:10.1080/00358539608454302.
  37. ^ a b “Rwanda becomes a member of the Commonwealth”. BBC News. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
  38. ^ “132-1990”. www.klausdierks.com. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  39. ^ “Nauru Accedes to Full Membership of the Commonwealth”. Commonwealth Secretariat. 12 April 1999. Archived from the original on 26 April 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
  40. ^ “Nauru–History”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 3 September 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  41. ^ “Nauru back as full Commonwealth member”. Radio New Zealand International. 26 June 2011. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  42. ^ “New Zealand – History”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  43. ^ “Nigeria | The Commonwealth”. thecommonwealth.org. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  44. ^ “Pakistan suspended from the Commonwealth”. Commonwealth Secretariat. 22 November 2007. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  45. ^ “Commonwealth lifts Pakistan suspension”. Commonwealth Secretariat. 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  46. ^ Josh Kron (29 November 2009). “Rwanda Joins the Commonwealth”. The New York Times. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
  47. ^ “Rwanda’s application for membership, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative” (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  48. ^ “Constitution Amendment Act (No 2) 1997”. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
  49. ^ “Road to Independence”. AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2006.
  50. ^ Singapore Act 1966
  51. ^ “South Africa”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  52. ^ a b “Tanzania – History”. Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 3 September 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  53. ^ “Togo – History Background”.
  54. ^ “Tuvalu Accedes to Full Membership of the Commonwealth”. Commonwealth Secretariat. 14 August 2000. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
  55. ^ Galea, Pauline (2007). “Seismic history of the Maltese Islands and considerations on seismic risk: Earthquakes in Malta”. Annals of Geophysics. 50 (6): 725–740. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  56. ^ “Editorial: CHOGM 2003, Abuja, Nigeria”. The Round Table. 93 (373): 3–6. January 2004. doi:10.1080/0035853042000188139. S2CID 219624427.
  57. ^ a b “Qaran News | A Trusted Qaran News Source”. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  58. ^ “South Sudan Launches Bid to Join Commonwealth”. gurtong.net. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  59. ^ “South Sudan on Track to Join Commonwealth Nations”. Shimron Letters. 22 May 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  60. ^ “Welcome to Allvoices”. allvoices.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013.
  61. ^ Staff Writer (14 June 2012). “Suriname eying membership of Commonwealth”. Stabroek News.
  62. ^ “Strengthening Guyana’s participation in the Commonwealth and providing guidance to Suriname as it considers applying for membership”. www.gov.uk.
  63. ^ “Burundi Applies to Join Commonwealth to Bolster Angolophone Ties”. Bloomberg.com. 13 November 2013.
  64. ^ Adebayo, Bukola (21 May 2018). “Zimbabwe applies to re-join Commonwealth, 15 years after leaving”. CNN.
  65. ^ a b c d e te Velde-Ashworth, Victoria (10 October 2005). “The future of the modern Commonwealth: Widening vs. deepening?”. Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit. Archived from the original (doc) on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2006.
  66. ^ “The Commonwealth: What’s the point of it?”. The Economist. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  67. ^ “Nepal urged to join Commonwealth”. The Himalayan Times. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  68. ^ Howden, Daniel (26 November 2009). “The Big Question: What is the Commonwealth’s role, and is it relevant to global politics?”. The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022.
  69. ^ Osike, Felix (24 November 2007). “Rwanda membership delayed”. New Vision. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2009.

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