![](https://web.archive.org/web/20220613093924im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Commonwealth_of_Nations.svg/350px-Commonwealth_of_Nations.svg.png)
The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 54 sovereign states. Most of them were British colonies or dependencies of those colonies.
No one 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 Queen Elizabeth II, who serves as the Head of the Commonwealth. This position, however, does not imbue her 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 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 newest member is Rwanda, which joined on 29 November 2009.[6] The 54 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.[7]
Currently, fifteen of the 54 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 Irish government) and Zimbabwe (2003) are former members of the Commonwealth.
Current members
All dates below are provided by the Commonwealth of Nations Secretariat members list, and population figures are as of 1 February 2020.[8]
Country | First Joined | UN Region | UN Subregion | Population[9] | System of government | Notes[A] |
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1 November 1981 | Americas | Caribbean | 94,195 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | |
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19 November 1926 | Oceania | Australia and New Zealand | 25,215,000 | 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.[11] |
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10 July 1973 | Americas | Caribbean | 402,576 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | |
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18 April 1972[12] | Asia | Southern Asia | 165,867,307 | Unitary Westminster republic | Declared independence from Pakistan in 1971.[13] |
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30 November 1966 | Americas | Caribbean | 286,618 | Unitary Westminster republic | Barbados removed Elizabeth II as its head of state and became a republic on 30 November 2021.[14][15] |
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21 September 1981 | Americas | Central America | 379,636 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | |
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30 September 1966 | Africa | Southern Africa | 2,377,831 | Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency | |
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1 January 1984 | Asia | South-eastern Asia | 439,022 | Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy | |
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13 November 1995[16] | Africa | Middle Africa | 24,836,674 | 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. |
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19 November 1926 | Americas | Northern America | 37,653,350 | 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. |
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13 March 1961[19] | Asia | Western Asia | 1,197,667 | Unitary presidential republic | Gained independence from the United Kingdom on 16 August 1960. Britain retains military bases at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. Northern Cyprus is not recognised by the Commonwealth. |
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3 November 1978 | Americas | Caribbean | 72,975 | Unitary Westminster republic | Dominica has always been a republic since independence. |
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6 September 1968 | Africa | Southern Africa | 1,336,933 | Unitary absolute monarchy | Joined as Swaziland, subsequently changing its name to Eswatini on 19 April 2018. |
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10 October 1970 | Oceania | Melanesia | 909,024 | Unitary Westminster republic | Left 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. |
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18 February 1965 | Africa | Western Africa | 2,155,958 | Unitary presidential republic | Withdrew on 3 October 2013 citing "neocolonialism".[24][25] Following the election of Adama Barrow as President of Gambia in 2016, it submitted an application to rejoin the Commonwealth on 22 January 2018,[26] and rejoined on 8 February 2018.[27] |
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6 March 1957 | Africa | Western Africa | 29,088,849 | Unitary presidential republic | |
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7 February 1974 | Americas | Caribbean | 107,894 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | |
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26 May 1966 | Americas | South America | 773,808 | Unitary presidential republic | |
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15 August 1947 | Asia | Southern Asia | 1,353,014,094 | Federal Westminster republic | 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). |
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6 August 1962 | Americas | Caribbean | 2,819,888 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | |
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12 December 1963 | Africa | Eastern Africa | 49,167,382 | Unitary presidential republic | |
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12 July 1979 | Oceania | Micronesia | 117,636 | Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency | |
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4 October 1966 | Africa | Southern Africa | 2,199,492 | Unitary Westminster monarchy[E] | |
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6 July 1964 | Africa | Eastern Africa | 18,558,768 | Unitary presidential republic | |
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31 August 1957[28][29] | Asia | South-eastern Asia | 31,505,208 | 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 state on 9 August 1965), North Borneo, and Sarawak.[30] |
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9 July 1982 | Asia | Southern Asia | 515,696 | Unitary presidential republic | Gained independence from the United Kingdom on 26 July 1965.[31] A special member from 9 July 1982 until 20 July 1985.[32] Withdrew on 13 October 2016.[33][34] Rejoined on 1 February 2020.[35] |
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21 September 1964 | Europe | Southern Europe | 422,212 | 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. |
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12 March 1968 | Africa | Eastern Africa | 1,286,240 | Unitary Westminster republic | Became a republic on 12 March 1992. |
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13 November 1995[36] | Africa | Eastern Africa | 29,977,238 | Unitary semi-presidential republic | 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.[37] |
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21 March 1990 | Africa | Southern Africa | 2,600,857 | Unitary semi-presidential republic | Gained independence from South Africa.[38] Includes Walvis Bay and the Penguin Islands transferred by South Africa at midnight 28 February 1994. |
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1 November 1968 | Oceania | Micronesia | 10,387 | Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency | Gained independence on 31 January 1968 from joint trusteeship of Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom. A special member from 1 November 1968 until 1 May 1999, when it became a full member,[39] before reverting to special status in January 2006.[40] A full member again since June 2011.[41] |
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19 November 1926 | Oceania | Australia and New Zealand | 4,609,755 | 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.[42] 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. |
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1 October 1960 | Africa | Western Africa | 194,615,054 | Federal presidential republic | Incorporated the former British mandate/trust territory of Northern Cameroons on 31 May 1961. Suspended in 1995, suspension lifted in 1999.[43] |
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14 August 1947[C] | Asia | Southern Asia | 229,494,441 | Federal Westminster republic | 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 1972, rejoined 1989; suspended in 1999, suspension lifted in 2004; again suspended in 2007,[44] suspension lifted in 2008.[45] |
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16 September 1975 | Oceania | Melanesia | 8,034,630 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | Gained independence from Australia. |
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29 November 2009[6] | Africa | Eastern Africa | 12,322,920 | 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.[37] 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".[46] |
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19 September 1983 | Americas | Caribbean | 56,632 | Federal Commonwealth realm | |
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22 February 1979 | Americas | Caribbean | 189,000 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | |
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27 October 1979 | Americas | Caribbean | 109,501 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | A special member from 27 October 1979 until 1 June 1985. |
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28 August 1970 | Oceania | Polynesia | 196,954 | Unitary Westminster republic | Gained independence from New Zealand on 1 January 1962. Joined as Western Samoa, subsequently changing its name to Samoa on 4 July 1997.[47] |
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29 June 1976 | Africa | Eastern Africa | 98,248 | Unitary presidential republic | |
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27 April 1961 | Africa | Western Africa | 6,818,117 | Unitary presidential republic | |
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9 August 1966 | Asia | South-eastern Asia | 5,889,117 | Unitary Westminster republic | Gained independence from the United Kingdom and joined Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Became independent on 9 August 1965.[48] While joining in 1966, the effective date is from its date of independence.[49] |
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7 July 1978 | Oceania | Melanesia | 614,497 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | |
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19 November 1926 | Africa | Southern Africa | 56,007,479 | Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency | Granted nominal independence (Dominion status) on 31 May 1910. 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.[50] |
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4 February 1948 | Asia | Southern Asia | 20,979,811 | Unitary semi-presidential republic | Joined as the Dominion of Ceylon, subsequently changing its name in 1972. Became a republic in 1972 |
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9 December 1961 | Africa | Eastern Africa | 57,790,062 | Unitary presidential republic | Joined as Tanganyika, with the island of Zanzibar following suit later. The two subsequently merged to form Tanzania on 26 April 1964.[51] |
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4 June 1970 | Oceania | Polynesia | 107,228 | Unitary constitutional monarchy | |
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31 August 1962 | Americas | Caribbean | 1,376,801 | Unitary Westminster republic | Granted nominal independence (Dominion status) on 31 August 1962. Became a republic within the Commonwealth on 1 August 1976 under the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Constitution Act 1976, passed by the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. |
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1 October 1978 | Oceania | Polynesia | 10,116 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | A special member from 1 October 1978 until 1 September 2000.[52] |
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9 October 1962 | Africa | Eastern Africa | 42,288,962 | Unitary presidential republic | |
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19 November 1926 | Europe | Northern Europe | 65,746,853 | Unitary Commonwealth realm | Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacted the Statute of Westminster 1931. Has four individual nations within the UK: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. |
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30 July 1980 | Oceania | Melanesia | 279,953 | Unitary Westminster republic | Gained independence from joint rule (condominium) of France and the United Kingdom. |
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24 October 1964 | Africa | Eastern Africa | 17,470,471 | Unitary presidential republic |
^ 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.[53] In political geography, Malta is considered a European country.
Former members
Country | Joined | UN Region | UN Subregion | Left | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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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] |
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1 October 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.[54]
On 15 May 2018, President Emmerson Mnangagwa submitted an application to rejoin the Commonwealth. |
Dissolved members
Former country | Joined | UN Region | UN Subregion | Dissolved | Rejoined as a part of | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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31 August 1957 | Asia | South-eastern Asia | 16 September 1963[29] | ![]() |
Reformed as the Federation of Malaysia with Singapore (became a separate member in 1965), Sabah, and Sarawak. |
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19 November 1926 | Americas | Northern America | 31 March 1949 | ![]() |
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] |
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9 December 1961 | Africa | Eastern Africa | 26 April 1964 | ![]() |
Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania on 26 April 1964.[51] |
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10 December 1963 |
Prospective members
Country | Applied | UN Region | UN Subregion | Population | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2009 (as an observer)[55] | 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.[55] Its borders are approximate to those of British Somaliland, which was a protectorate from 1884 to 1960. |
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2011[56] | Africa | Eastern Africa | 13,670,642 | Gained independence from Britain as part of Sudan in 1956. Gained independence from Sudan in 2011.[57] |
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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[59] and the British government has made it a priority to provide guidance to Suriname in applying for Commonwealth membership.[60] |
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2013 | Africa | Eastern Africa | 10,524,117 | |
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2018[62] | Africa | Eastern Africa | 16,150,362 | In recent years, under the presidency of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe has 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. |
^ G. The population figure is based on 2014 estimates.
Other candidates
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20220613093924im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Commonwealth_of_Nations_prospective_members_%28simple%29.png/300px-Commonwealth_of_Nations_prospective_members_%28simple%29.png)
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,[63] Cambodia,[63] Egypt,[63] Gabon,[64] Israel,[65] Libya,[63] Nepal,[66][67] Palestine,[63] and Yemen.[68][69]
Some countries and regions could also join the Commonwealth of Nations on the basis of having a constitutional historical link to an existing member or being a part of the late British Empire, including: Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Myanmar, Oman, the Philippines,[70][71] Qatar, the Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.[72]
See also
- CANZUK International a free movement and free trade initiative between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom
- Commonwealth of Nations membership criteria
- List of countries and territories where English is an official language
- List of countries by English-speaking population
- List of viceregal representatives of Elizabeth II
References
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- ^ "Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles 1971". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
- ^ "Head of the Commonwealth". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 30 September 2006. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
- ^ "The Commonwealth–History–Dominion Status". Commonwealth of Nations. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
- ^ "The Commonwealth–History–Modern Commonwealth". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
- ^ a b Josh Kron (29 November 2009). "Rwanda Joins the Commonwealth". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
- ^ "Country Comparisons – Population". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 19 March 2009. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
- ^ "Members". Commonwealth Secretariat. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
- ^ "World population - Countrymeters". Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ^ "Australia". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 14 February 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kohen, Marcelo G. (2006). Secession. London: Cambridge University Press. p. 122. ISBN 978-0-521-84928-9.
- ^ a b c "Wind of Change". Commonwealth of Nations. 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Barbados elects first ever president ahead of becoming republic". BBC News. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ Pondi, Jean-Emmanuel (October 1997). "Cameroon and the Commonwealth of Nations". The Round Table. 86 (344): 563–570. doi:10.1080/00358539708454389.
- ^ "Canada – History". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
- ^ a b c "Dominion Status". Commonwealth of Nations. 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ingram, Derek (July 2000). "Commonwealth Update". The Round Table. 89 (355): 311–55. doi:10.1080/00358530050083406. S2CID 219626283.
- ^ a b Ingram, Derek (April 2002). "Commonwealth Update". The Round Table. 91 (364): 131–59. doi:10.1080/00358530220144148. S2CID 219627051.
- ^ Ingram, Derek; Soal, Judith (February 2007). "Commonwealth Update". The Round Table. 96 (388): 2–28. doi:10.1080/00358530701189734. S2CID 219623258.
- ^ Fiji suspended from the Commonwealth Archived 2011-04-29 at the Wayback Machine. Commonwealth Secretariat, 1 September 2009; retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ "Statement by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma on The Gambia". The Commonwealth. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
- ^ "Gambia quits the Commonwealth". The Guardian. 2 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
- ^ "The Gambia presents formal application to re-join the Commonwealth" (Media Release). The Commonwealth. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- ^ "The Gambia rejoins the Commonwealth". Commonwealth Secretariat. 8 February 2018.
- ^ Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957
- ^ a b Malaysia Act 1963
- ^ "Malaysia – History". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 3 February 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
- ^ "Maldives – History". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
- ^ "The Maldives and the Commonwealth". Republic of Maldives. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
- ^ "Commonwealth Secretariat". 13 October 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
- ^ "Maldives quits Commonwealth over alleged rights abuses". The Guardian. 13 October 2016.
- ^ "Maldives becomes 54th member of Commonwealth family". The Commonwealth. 1 February 2020.
- ^ Ingram, Derek (April 1996). "Commonwealth Update". The Round Table. 85 (338): 153–165. doi:10.1080/00358539608454302.
- ^ a b "Rwanda becomes a member of the Commonwealth". BBC News. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
- ^ Chronology of Namibian Independence
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Nauru–History". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 3 September 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "New Zealand – History". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
- ^ "Nigeria | The Commonwealth". thecommonwealth.org. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Pakistan suspended from the Commonwealth". Commonwealth Secretariat. 22 November 2007. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
- ^ "Commonwealth lifts Pakistan suspension". Commonwealth Secretariat. 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
- ^ "Rwanda's application for membership, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative" (PDF). Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Constitution Amendment Act (No 2) 1997". Retrieved 27 November 2007.
- ^ "Road to Independence". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2006.
- ^ Singapore Act 1966
- ^ "South Africa". Commonwealth Secretariat. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Tanzania – History". Commonwealth Secretariat. Archived from the original on 3 September 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Editorial: CHOGM 2003, Abuja, Nigeria". The Round Table. 93 (373): 3–6. January 2004. doi:10.1080/0035853042000188139. S2CID 219624427.
- ^ a b Somaliland on verge of observer status in the Commonwealth. Qaran News, 16 November 2009
- ^ "South Sudan Launches Bid to Join Commonwealth". gurtong.net.
- ^ South Sudan on Track to Join Commonwealth.
- ^ "Welcome to Allvoices". allvoices.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013.
- ^ Staff Writer (14 June 2012). "Suriname eying membership of Commonwealth". Stabroek News.
- ^ "Strengthening Guyana's participation in the Commonwealth and providing guidance to Suriname as it considers applying for membership". www.gov.uk.
- ^ "Burundi Applies to Join Commonwealth to Bolster Angolophone Ties". Bloomberg.com. 13 November 2013.
- ^ Adebayo, Bukola (21 May 2018). "Zimbabwe applies to re-join Commonwealth, 15 years after leaving". CNN.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Donmez, Ahmet Emin (3 January 2022). "Gabon set to join British Commonwealth this year: President". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "Israelis and Palestinians could join Commonwealth". The Telegraph. 17 December 2006. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
- ^ "The Commonwealth: What's the point of it?". The Economist. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ "Nepal urged to join Commonwealth". The Himalayan Times. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Osike, Felix (24 November 2007). "Rwanda membership delayed". New Vision. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
- ^ Times, The Manila (24 October 2016). "When Filipinos became British subjects". The Manila Times. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ Antolihao, Lou (20 February 2019). "Replaying history, or why the Philippines should participate in the Commonwealth Games". The Asian Dialogue.
- ^ "The Commonwealth: Who's in the club?". Independent. 16 March 2006. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
External links
- Commonwealth timeline
- "Members". Commonwealth Secretariat. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
- "Commonwealth of Nations". Commonwealth of Nations. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
- "The Commonwealth". Directgov. Retrieved 15 February 2008.