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Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations

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The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 56 sovereign states, referred to as Commonwealth countries.[1] Most of them were British colonies or dependencies of those colonies.

  Current member states
  Partially suspended member state
  Former member states
  British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies

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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4]

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 Australia, Canada, the Irish Free State, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. 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).[5] In 1949, the London Declaration marked the birth of the modern Commonwealth and the adoption of its present name.[6] The members have a combined population of 2.6 billion, almost a third of the world's population, of whom 1.21 billion live in India, and 95% live in Africa and Asia combined.[7] The most recent members to join were the Francophone African nations of Gabon and Togo on 29 June 2022, who along with Mozambique and Rwanda are unique in not having a historical 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.

Current member states

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All dates below are provided by the Commonwealth of Nations Secretariat members list,[8] and population figures are as of 1 February 2020.

Country First joined UN continental region UN geographical subregion Population[9] System of government Notes[A]
  Antigua and Barbuda 1 November 1981 Americas Caribbean 94,298 Unitary Commonwealth realm
  Australia 19 November 1926 Oceania Australia and New Zealand 26,256,970 Federal Commonwealth realm Australia was one of the original Dominions at the time of the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the Statute of Westminster 1931, although the statute was not adopted in Australia until 1942 (with retroactive effect from 1939).[10] The Australia Act 1986 eliminated the remaining possibilities for the UK to legislate with effect in Australia, for the UK to be involved in Australian government, and for an appeal from any Australian court to a British court (Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.[11]
  Bahamas 10 July 1973 Americas Caribbean 412,623 Unitary Commonwealth realm
  Bangladesh 18 April 1972[12] Asia Southern Asia 172,954,319 Unitary Westminster republic Formerly East Pakistan. Declared independence from Pakistan in 1971.[13]
  Barbados 30 November 1966 Americas Caribbean 281,995 Unitary Westminster republic Barbados removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and became a republic on 30 November 2021, albeit, without a referendum.[14][15]
  Belize 21 September 1981 Americas Central America 410,825 Unitary Commonwealth realm Formerly British Honduras. Name changed on 1 June 1973 to Colony of Belize.
  Botswana 30 September 1966 Africa Southern Africa 2,675,352 Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency Formerly the Bechuanaland Protectorate.
  Brunei 1 January 1984 Asia South-eastern Asia 452,524 Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy Formerly a British protected monarchy. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is also Prime Minister of Brunei as well as Brunei's Sultan.
  Cameroon 1 November 1995[16] Africa Middle Africa 28,647,293 Unitary semi-presidential republic Most of the country was the formerly French mandate territory (later UN trust territory) of Cameroun, which gained independence from France on 1 January 1960. It united with the much smaller former British mandate/trust territory of Southern Cameroons, which gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1961.
  Canada 19 November 1926 Americas North America 39,244,168 Federal Commonwealth realm Canada was the first among the several original Dominions at the time of the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the Statute of Westminster 1931.[17] Incorporated another original Dominion, Newfoundland, on 31 March 1949.[18] The Canada Act 1982 formally ended the "request and consent" provisions of the Statute of Westminster 1931 in relation to Canada, whereby the British parliament had a general power to pass laws extending to Canada at its own request.
  Cyprus[D] 13 March 1961[19] Asia Western Asia 1,260,138 Unitary presidential republic Gained independence from the United Kingdom on 16 August 1960. The United Kingdom retains military bases at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. Northern Cyprus is not recognised by the Commonwealth as an independent state, but as a legitimate part of the Republic of Cyprus.
  Dominica 3 November 1978 Americas Caribbean 73,040 Unitary Westminster republic Dominica has always been a republic since independence.
  Eswatini 6 September 1968 Africa Southern Africa 1,210,822 Unitary absolute monarchy Joined as the Kingdom of Swaziland, subsequently changing its name to Kingdom of Eswatini on 19 April 2018.
  Fiji[B] 10 October 1970 Oceania Melanesia 936,375 Unitary Westminster republic Was the Dominion of Fiji from 1970 until it was overthrown. Declared to have been expelled in 1987; rejoined in 1997; suspended on 6 June 2000;[20] suspension lifted on 20 December 2001;[21] again suspended on 8 December 2006 because of the 2006 Fijian coup d'état.[22][23] Suspension lifted on 26 September 2014.
  Gabon[B] 25 June 2022 Africa Middle Africa 2,436,566 Unitary presidential republic Gained independence from France on 17 August 1960. The third (after Mozambique and Rwanda) to be admitted to the Commonwealth without any former colonial or constitutional links with the United Kingdom.[24] Partially suspended on 18 September 2023 following the military coup that ousted President Ali Bongo the previous month, with two years given by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group for the country to hold new elections before a full suspension of membership would be considered.[25][26]
  Gambia 18 February 1965 Africa Western Africa 2,773,168 Unitary presidential republic Withdrew on 3 October 2013 citing "neocolonialism".[27][28] Following the election of Adama Barrow as President of The Gambia in 2016, it submitted an application to rejoin the Commonwealth on 22 January 2018,[29] and rejoined on 8 February 2018.[30]
  Ghana 6 March 1957 Africa Western Africa 34,121,985 Unitary presidential republic Became independent as the Dominion of Ghana.
  Grenada 7 February 1974 Americas Caribbean 126,183 Unitary Commonwealth realm
  Guyana 26 May 1966 Americas South America 813,834 Unitary presidential republic Gained independence as the Dominion of Guyana. Became a republic on 23 February 1970.
  India 15 August 1947 Asia Southern Asia 1,428,627,663 Federal Westminster republic Gained independence as the Dominion of India. India became the first Commonwealth republic on 26 January 1950. Incorporated former French India (Chandannagar from 2 May 1950 and Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahé from 1 November 1954), former Portuguese India (Goa, Daman and Diu from 19 December 1961 and Dadra and Nagar Haveli formally from 1961) and Sikkim (from 16 May 1975).
  Jamaica 6 August 1962 Americas Caribbean 2,825,544 Unitary Commonwealth realm
  Kenya 12 December 1963 Africa Eastern Africa 55,100,586 Unitary presidential republic Gained independence as the Dominion of Kenya. Became the Republic of Kenya exactly 1 year later.
  Kiribati 12 July 1979 Oceania Micronesia 133,515 Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency Formerly part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, then the Colony of the Gilbert Islands.
  Lesotho 4 October 1966 Africa Southern Africa 2,330,318 Unitary Westminster monarchy[E] Formerly the British protectorate of Basutoland.
  Malawi 6 July 1964 Africa Eastern Africa 20,931,751 Unitary presidential republic Formerly Nyasaland. Gained independence as the Dominion of Malawi. The Republic of Malawi was declared exactly 2 years later.
  Malaysia 31 August 1957[31][32] Asia South-eastern Asia 34,308,525 Federal Westminster monarchy[E] Joined as the Federation of Malaya in 1957; reformed as Malaysia on 16 September 1963 with its federation with Singapore (which became a separate country on 9 August 1965), North Borneo, and Sarawak.[33]
  Maldives 9 July 1982 Asia Southern Asia 521,021 Unitary presidential republic Formerly a British protected monarchy. Gained independence from the United Kingdom on 26 July 1965 as an independent kingdom outside the Commonwealth. Became a republic on 11 November 1968[34] A special member from 9 July 1982 until 20 July 1985.[35] Withdrew on 13 October 2016.[36][37] Rejoined on 1 February 2020.[38]
  Malta[F] 21 September 1964 Europe Southern Europe 532,616 Unitary Westminster republic Gained independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1964 as the State of Malta. Became a republic on 13 December 1974.
  Mauritius 12 March 1968 Africa Eastern Africa 1,263,939 Unitary Westminster republic Gained independence as the Dominion of Mauritius. Became a republic on 12 March 1992.
  Mozambique 13 November 1995[39] Africa Eastern Africa 33,897,354 Unitary semi-presidential republic Former dependency of Portuguese India until 1752. Gained independence from Portugal on 25 June 1975. The first country to be admitted to the Commonwealth without any former colonial or constitutional links with the United Kingdom.[40]
  Namibia 21 March 1990 Africa Southern Africa 2,604,172 Unitary semi-presidential republic Formerly South West Africa. Gained independence from South Africa.[41] Includes Walvis Bay and the Penguin Islands transferred by South Africa at midnight 28 February 1994.
  Nauru[B] 29 November 1968 Oceania Micronesia 12,780 Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency Gained independence on 31 January 1968 from joint trusteeship of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. A special member from 29 November 1968 until 1 May 1999, when it became a full member,[42] before reverting to special status in January 2006.[43] A full member again since June 2011.[44]
  New Zealand 19 November 1926 Oceania Australia and New Zealand 5,163,908 Unitary Commonwealth realm Granted nominal independence (Dominion status) on 26 September 1907. One of the original Dominions at the time of the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the Statute of Westminster 1931, although the Statute was not adopted in New Zealand until 1947.[45] Removed final links with the British Parliament in 1986. Removed the final link with the British legal system (Judicial Committee of the Privy Council) in 2003.
  Nigeria 1 October 1960 Africa Western Africa 223,804,632 Federal presidential republic Gained independence as a Dominion titled the Federation of Nigeria. Incorporated the former British mandate/trust territory of Northern Cameroons on 31 May 1961. Federal republic declared on 1 October 1963. Suspended in 1995, suspension lifted in 1999.[46]
  Pakistan 14 August 1947[C] Asia Southern Asia 240,485,658 Federal Westminster republic Gained independence as the Dominion of Pakistan. Includes the city of Gwadar, transferred from Muscat and Oman on 8 September 1958. Included Bangladesh (then known as East Pakistan) until 1971.[13] Left Commonwealth in January 1972, rejoined 1990, effective retroactively from October 1989; suspended in 1999, suspension lifted in 2004; again suspended in 2007,[47] suspension lifted in 2008.[48]
  Papua New Guinea 16 September 1975 Oceania Melanesia 10,329,931 Unitary Commonwealth realm Gained independence from Australia.
  Rwanda 29 November 2009[49] Africa Eastern Africa 14,094,683 Unitary presidential republic Gained independence from Belgium on 1 July 1962. The second country (after Mozambique) to be admitted to the Commonwealth without any former colonial or constitutional links with the United Kingdom.[40] Admitted despite the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) finding that "the state of governance and human rights in Rwanda does not satisfy Commonwealth standards", and that it "does not therefore qualify for admission".[50]
  Saint Kitts and Nevis[B] 19 September 1983 Americas Caribbean 47,755 Federal Commonwealth realm
  Saint Lucia 22 February 1979 Americas Caribbean 180,251 Unitary Commonwealth realm
  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27 October 1979 Americas Caribbean 103,698 Unitary Commonwealth realm A special member from 27 October 1979 until 1 June 1985.
  Samoa[B] 28 August 1970 Oceania Polynesia 225,681 Unitary Westminster republic From 1914 to 1961, Western Samoa was the Territory of Western Samoa. Gained independence from New Zealand on 1 January 1962. Entered into an unusual relationship with the Commonwealth. Joined as Western Samoa, subsequently changing its name to Samoa on 4 July 1997.[51]
  Seychelles 29 June 1976 Africa Eastern Africa 120,622 Unitary presidential republic
  Sierra Leone 27 April 1961 Africa Western Africa 8,791,092 Unitary presidential republic Gained independence as the Dominion of Sierra Leone.
  Singapore[B] 15 October 1965 Asia South-eastern Asia 5,673,743 Unitary Westminster republic Gained independence from the United Kingdom and joined Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Became independent on 9 August 1965.[52] While joining in 1966, the effective date is from its date of independence.[53]
  Solomon Islands 7 July 1978 Oceania Melanesia 740,424 Unitary Commonwealth realm
  South Africa 19 November 1926 Africa Southern Africa 60,414,495 Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency Granted nominal independence (Dominion status) on 31 May 1910 as the Union of South Africa. One of the original Dominions at the time of the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and Statute of Westminster 1931. Left on 31 May 1961; rejoined 1 June 1994.[54]
  Sri Lanka 4 February 1948 Asia Southern Asia 22,037,000 Unitary semi-presidential republic Joined as the Dominion of Ceylon, subsequently changing its name in 1972. Became a republic in 1972
  Tanzania 9 December 1961 Africa Eastern Africa 67,438,106 Unitary presidential republic Tanganyika joined the Commonwealth on 9 December 1961 as an independent Dominion, became a republic exactly 1 year later, with the islands of Zanzibar following suit later. The two subsequently merged to form Tanzania on 26 April 1964.[55]
  Togo[B] 25 June 2022 Africa Western Africa 9,053,799 Unitary presidential republic The country was the formerly French and British mandate territory (later UN trust territory) of Togoland after the First World War in 1919; British Togoland (which would be attached to the Gold Coast in 1956 and become Ghana on 6 March 1957) and French Togoland. Independence of French Togoland as Togo from France on 27 April 1960.[56]
  Tonga 4 June 1970 Oceania Polynesia 107,773 Unitary constitutional monarchy Formerly a British protected monarchy from 1900 until 1970.
  Trinidad and Tobago 31 August 1962 Americas Caribbean 1,534,937 Unitary Westminster republic Granted independence on 31 August 1962 as the Dominion of Trinidad and Tobago. Became a republic on 1 August 1976 under the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Constitution Act 1976, passed by the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.
  Tuvalu[B] 1 October 1978 Oceania Polynesia 11,396 Unitary Commonwealth realm A special member from 1 October 1978 until 1 September 2000.[57]
  Uganda 9 October 1962 Africa Eastern Africa 48,582,334 Unitary presidential republic Gained independence as the Dominion of Uganda, then became the Sovereign State of Uganda exactly 1 year later. Uganda's formal status as a republic wss declared in 1967 after the overthrow of the Kabaka of Buganda Mutesa II in 1966.
  United Kingdom 19 November 1926 Europe Northern Europe 67,184,072 Unitary Commonwealth realm Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacted the Statute of Westminster 1931. Has four individual nations or constituent countries within the UK: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
  Vanuatu[B] 30 July 1980 Oceania Melanesia 334,506 Unitary Westminster republic Formerly the New Hebrides. Gained independence from joint rule (condominium) of France and the United Kingdom.
  Zambia 24 October 1964 Africa Eastern Africa 20,569,737 Unitary presidential republic Formerly Northern Rhodesia.

^ 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 are located on the African Plate. The island group lies approx. 200 km (120 mi) south of the boundary between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate.[58] In political geography, Malta is considered a European country.

Former member states

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Country Joined UN Continental Region UN Geographical Subregion Left Notes
  Ireland 19 November 1926 Europe Northern Europe 18 April 1949 The Partition of Ireland, in 1921, caused its division into the Irish Free State (later the Republic of Ireland) and Northern Ireland (which remained in the UK). The Irish Free State was one of the original Dominions at the time of the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the Statute of Westminster 1931.[18] Withdrew after passing the Republic of Ireland Act in 1948, accepted by the United Kingdom in the Ireland Act 1949.[13]
  Zimbabwe 18 April 1980 Africa Eastern Africa 7 December 2003 Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965 was not recognised, but independence as Zimbabwe was recognised on 18 April 1980. Suspended on 19 March 2002.[21] Withdrew voluntarily on 7 December 2003.[59]

On 15 May 2018, President Emmerson Mnangagwa submitted an application to rejoin the Commonwealth.[60]

Dissolved member states

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Former country Joined UN Continental Region UN Geographical Subregion Dissolved Rejoined as a part of Notes
  Malaya 31 August 1957 Asia South-eastern Asia 16 September 1963[32]   Malaysia Reformed as the Federation of Malaysia with Singapore (became a separate member in 1965), Sabah, and Sarawak.
  Newfoundland 19 November 1926 Americas Northern America 31 March 1949   Canada One of the original Dominions at the time of the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the Statute of Westminster 1931. Government suspended on 16 February 1934, merged into Canada on 31 March 1949.[18]
  Tanganyika 9 December 1961 Africa Eastern Africa 26 April 1964   Tanzania Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania on 26 April 1964.[55]
  Zanzibar 10 December 1963

Prospective member states

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Country Applied UN Continental Region UN Geographical Subregion Population Notes
  Burundi[61] 2013 Africa Eastern Africa 10,524,117 Gained independence from Belgium in 1962. Historically and culturally linked to Commonwealth member Rwanda, once forming a single country Ruanda-Urundi. In 2013, Burundi applied to join the Commonwealth.[62]
  Somaliland 2009 (as an observer state)[63] Africa Eastern Africa ~3,500,000[G] Somaliland is an unrecognised self-declared sovereign state internationally recognised as a part of Somalia. It has applied to join the Commonwealth under observer status.[63][64] Its borders are approximate to those of British Somaliland, which was a protectorate from 1884 to 1960.
  South Sudan 2011[65] Africa Eastern Africa 13,670,642 Gained independence from the United Kingdom as part of Sudan in 1956. Gained independence from Sudan in 2011.[66] South Sudan is a member of the East African Community.
  Suriname[67] 2012 Americas South America 555,934 English colony of Surinam from 1650 to 1667 and again controlled by the British from 1799 to 1816; subsequently a Dutch colony. In 2012, Suriname announced plans to join the Commonwealth[68] and the British government has made it a priority to provide guidance to Suriname in applying for Commonwealth membership.[69]
  Zimbabwe 2018[70] Africa Eastern Africa 16,150,362 Under the presidency of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe dominated Commonwealth affairs, creating acrimonious splits in the organisation. Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002 for breaching the Harare Declaration. In 2003, when the Commonwealth refused to lift the suspension, Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth. Since then, the Commonwealth has played a major part in trying to end the political impasse and return Zimbabwe to a state of normality. On 15 May 2018, President Mnangagwa submitted an application to rejoin the Commonwealth.[71]

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

Other candidates

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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)
Applicants with historical links to the UK (dark green)

Other states which have expressed an interest in joining the Commonwealth over the years include:

Country UN Continental Region UN Geographical Subregion Source(s)
  Algeria Africa Northern Africa [72][73]
  Angola Africa Middle Africa [74][75]
  Cambodia Asia South-eastern Asia [74]
  Cook Islands Oceania Polynesia [76]
  Israel Asia Western Asia [74]
  Madagascar Africa Eastern Africa [72][74]
  Myanmar Asia South-eastern Asia [74]
    Nepal Asia Southern Asia [77][78]
  Palestine Asia Western Asia [72][74]
  Sudan Africa Northern Africa [72][74]
  Timor-Leste Asia South-eastern Asia [74]
  Yemen Asia Western Asia [72][74]

Howard Henry, former Director of External Relations of the Cook Islands, stated that the Cook Islands could apply for Commonwealth membership as soon as the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, following the United States recognition of the Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign states.[76]

The 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting agreed on the core criteria for Membership. An applicant country should have historic constitutional association with an existing Commonwealth member, aside from exceptional circumstances which are only considered on a case-by-case basis.[79][80]

Most Commonwealth member have constitutional links with the United Kingdom and the former British Empire.[81][non-primary source needed] Former British dependencies are eligible to join the Commonwealth providing they agree and commit to the Commonwealth principles, these were laid out in the Singapore Declaration and reaffirmed in the Lusaka Declaration, the Langkawi Declaration and the Harare Declaration.[82][83][72]

See also

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References

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  64. ^ Shire, Saad Ali (16 April 2018). "Somaliland: Why we should be at the Commonwealth summit". African Arguments. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
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