A Full List Commonwealth Members
The Commonwealth
Definition: A voluntary association of independent states which were formerly colonised by Britain. They were protectorates, colonies or dominions.
Common Features Of The Commonwealth Member States
- They all acknowledge the British Queen as the – head
- Have similar education systems
- Share a common language, English
- Regular consultation between Heads of State
- Regularly consult and exchange information in the fields of finance, technical assistance, science, trade and education.
- Have adopted similar forms of government’s i.e. parliamentary governments
- Practice universal adult suffrage
- Maintain close economic ties
- Have similar legal features
- They constitute a power bloc, with its own standards and ideals.
Commonwealth Members
The list Below Shows the Countries That Form the Commonwealth
- Botswana
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Bangladesh
- Lesotho
- Singapore
- Belize
- Mauritius
- Sri Lanka
- Brunei
- Seychelles
- Canada
- Cyprus
- Swaziland
- Vanualu
- Grenada
- Zambia
- Pakistan
- India
- Jamaica
- Kiribati
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Nauru
- Antiqua and
- Bermuda
- Gambia
- Papua New
- Guinea
- The Bahamas
- St. Christopher-Nevis
- St. Lucia
- Barbados
- Malawi
- Solomon Islands
- Britain
- Nigeria
- Tanga
- Antiqua and
- Bermuda
- Gambia
- Papua New Guinea
- The Bahamas
- St. ChristopherNevis
- St. Lucia
- Barbados
- Malawi
- Solomon Islands
- Britain
- Nigeria
- Tanga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Sierra-Leone
- Tuvalu
- Dominica
- Tanzania
- Western Samoa
- Guyana
- Zimbabwe
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Cameroon
- Mozambique
- Togo
- Fiji
Principles and Ideals of the Commonwealth
- Support the UNO in its endeavor to maintain world peace
- Respect the rights of the individual and equality of all
- Support human dignity and equality
- Against colonialism and racial discrimination
- Work for the free flow of international trade
- Attempt to remove disparities in wealth among nations worldwide
- Belief in international cooperation.
Advantages of Commonwealth Membership
- Giving financial assistance to member states
- Trading among the members
- Provision of training facilities e.g. by Canada, Hong Kong to less developed countries
- Developing countries have also benefited from the provision of scholarships e.g. in universities
- Members of the commonwealth can speak with one voice in international affairs
- Interaction in games, cultural exchange programmes e.t.c.
- Member states benefit from technical knowhow, advice and expertise in various fields
- The commonwealth peace-keeping forces help to maintain peace among member states
- Fostering of friendship and understandings among member states
- Promote democratic activities in member countries e.g. Kenya
- Legal cooperation and information
- Cooperation in the field of health.
Challenges Facing The Commonwealth
- Withdrawal of some countries from the organization e.g. South Africa, Pakistan
- Trade imbalances between the developed and developing countries within the organization
- Political upheavals in developing countries having created tension among some member states
- Member states of the Commonwealth also belong to other organizations e.g. OAU
- Shortage of funds
- Frontier disputes between member states e.g. India and Pakistan over Kashmir
- Implementation of decisions relies on goodwill of members.