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

1. Botswana
2. New Zealand
3. Australia
4. Ghana
5. Kenya
6. Bangladesh
7. Lesotho
8. Singapore
9. Belize
10. Mauritius
11. Sri Lanka
12. Brunei
13. Seychelles
14. Canada
15. Cyprus
16. Swaziland
17. Vanualu
18. Grenada
19. Zambia
20. Pakistan
21. India
22. Jamaica
23. Kiribati
24. Malaysia
25. Maldives
26. Malta
27. Nauru
28. Antiqua and
29. Bermuda
30. Gambia
31. Papua New
32. Guinea
33. The Bahamas
34. St. Christopher-Nevis
35. St. Lucia
36. Barbados
37. Malawi
38. Solomon Islands
39. Britain
40. Nigeria
41. Tanga
42. Antiqua and
43. Bermuda
44. Gambia
45. Papua New Guinea
46. The Bahamas
47. St. ChristopherNevis
48. St. Lucia
49. Barbados
50. Malawi
51. Solomon Islands
52. Britain
53. Nigeria
54. Tanga
55. Trinidad and Tobago
56. Sierra-Leone
57. Tuvalu
58. Dominica
59. Tanzania
60. Western Samoa
61. Guyana
62. Zimbabwe
63. Namibia
64. South Africa
65. Cameroon
66. Mozambique
67. Togo
68. 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

1. Giving financial assistance to member states
2. Trading among the members
3. Provision of training facilities e.g. by Canada, Hong Kong to less developed countries
4. Developing countries have also benefited from the provision of scholarships e.g. in universities
5. Members of the commonwealth can speak with one voice in international affairs
6. Interaction in games, cultural exchange programmes e.t.c.
7. Member states benefit from technical knowhow, advice and expertise in various fields
8. The commonwealth peace-keeping forces help to maintain peace among member states
9. Fostering of friendship and understandings among member states
10. Promote democratic activities in member countries e.g. Kenya
11. Legal cooperation and information
12. 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.