The Commonwealth of Nations, often simply referred to as the Commonwealth,[4] is

an international association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of
the British Empire.[5] The chief institutions of the organisation are the Commonwealth Secretariat,
which focuses on intergovernmental aspects, and the Commonwealth Foundation, which focuses on
non-governmental relations among member states.[6] Numerous organisations are associated with
and operate within the Commonwealth.[7]
The Commonwealth dates back to the first half of the 20th century with the decolonisation of the
British Empire through increased self-governance of its territories. It was originally created as
the British Commonwealth of Nations[8] through the Balfour Declaration at the 1926 Imperial
Conference, and formalised by the United Kingdom through the Statute of Westminster in 1931. The
current Commonwealth of Nations was formally constituted by the London Declaration in 1949,
which modernised the community and established the member states as "free and equal".[9]
The head of the Commonwealth is Charles III. He is king of 15 member states, known as
the Commonwealth realms, while 36 other members are republics, and five others have different
monarchs. Although he became head upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, the position is not
technically hereditary.[10]
Member states have no legal obligations to one another but are connected through their use of the
English language and historical ties. Citizenship of a Commonwealth country affords benefits in
some member countries, particularly in the United Kingdom. The Commonwealth Charter defines
their shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law,[11] as promoted by the
quadrennial Commonwealth Games.

History[edit]
Origins of the concept and establishment of the term[edit]
Main articles: British Empire and Historiography of the British Empire

Draft of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, with "British

Empire" crossed out and "British Commonwealth of Nations" added by hand.

The prime ministers of five members at the

1944 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference. (L-R) Mackenzie King (Canada), Jan
Smuts (South Africa), Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Peter Fraser (New Zealand)
and John Curtin (Australia)
Queen Elizabeth II, in her address to Canada on Dominion Day in 1959, pointed out that
the Confederation of Canada on 1 July 1867 had been the birth of the "first independent country
within the British Empire". She declared: "So, it also marks the beginning of that free association of
independent states which is now known as the Commonwealth of Nations."[12] As long ago as
1884 Lord Rosebery, while visiting Australia, had described the changing British Empire, as some of
its colonies became more independent, as a "Commonwealth of Nations".[13] Conferences of British
and colonial prime ministers occurred periodically from the first one in 1887, leading to the creation
of the Imperial Conferences in 1911.[14]
The Commonwealth developed from the imperial conferences. A specific proposal was presented
by Jan Smuts in 1917 when he coined the term "the British Commonwealth of Nations" and
envisioned the "future constitutional relations and readjustments in essence"[15] at the Paris Peace
Conference of 1919, attended by delegates from the Dominions as well as the United Kingdom.[16]
[17]
The term first received imperial statutory recognition in the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, when the
term British Commonwealth of Nations was substituted for British Empire in the wording of the oath
taken by members of parliament of the Irish Free State.[18]

Adoption and formalisation of the Commonwealth[edit]

In the Balfour Declaration at the 1926 Imperial Conference, the United Kingdom and its dominions
agreed they were "equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their
domestic or external affairs, though united by common allegiance to the Crown, and freely
associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations". The term "Commonwealth" was
officially adopted to describe the community.[19]
These aspects to the relationship were formalised by the Statute of Westminster in 1931, which
applied to Canada without the need for ratification, but Australia, New Zealand,
and Newfoundland had to ratify the statute for it to take effect. Newfoundland never did as due to
economic hardship and the need for financial assistance from London, Newfoundland voluntarily
accepted the suspension of self-government in 1934 and governance reverted to direct control from
London. Newfoundland later joined Canada as its tenth province in 1949.[20] Australia and New
Zealand ratified the statute in 1942 and 1947 respectively.[21][22]
Although the Union of South Africa was not among the Dominions that needed to adopt the Statute
of Westminster for it to take effect, two laws—the Status of the Union Act, 1934, and the Royal
Executive Functions and Seals Act of 1934—were passed to confirm South Africa's status as a
sovereign state.[23]

Decolonisation and self-governance[edit]

For a more comprehensive list, see List of countries that have gained independence from the United
Kingdom.
After the Second World War ended, the British Empire was gradually dismantled. Most of its
components have become independent countries, whether Commonwealth realms or republics, and
members of the Commonwealth. There remain the 14 mainly self-governing British overseas
territories which retain some political association with the United Kingdom. In April 1949, following
the London Declaration, the word "British" was dropped from the title of the Commonwealth to reflect
its changing nature.[24]
Burma (Myanmar since 1989) and Aden (now part of the Yemen) are the only states that were
British colonies at the time of the war not to have joined the Commonwealth upon independence.
Former British protectorates and mandates that did not become members of the Commonwealth are
Egypt (independent in 1922), Iraq (1932), Transjordan (1946), Palestine (part of which became the
state of Israel in 1948), Sudan (1956), British Somaliland (which united with the former Italian
Somaliland in 1960 to form the Somali Republic), Kuwait (1961), Bahrain (1971), Oman (1971),
Qatar (1971), and the United Arab Emirates (1971).[25]
The postwar Commonwealth was given a fresh mission by Queen Elizabeth II in her Christmas Day
1953 broadcast, in which she envisioned the Commonwealth as "an entirely new conception – built
on the highest qualities of the Spirit of Man: friendship, loyalty, and the desire for freedom and
peace".[26] Hoped-for success was reinforced by such achievements as climbing Mount Everest in
1953, breaking the four-minute mile in 1954, and a solo circumnavigation of the globe in 1966.[27]
After the Second World War, the British treasury was so weak that it could not operate
independently of the United States. The loss of defence and financial roles, furthermore,
undermined Joseph Chamberlain's early 20th-century vision of a world empire that could combine
Imperial preference, mutual defence, and social growth. In addition, the United Kingdom's
cosmopolitan role in world affairs became increasingly limited, especially with the losses of India and
Singapore.[28] While British politicians at first hoped that the Commonwealth would preserve and
project British influence, they gradually lost their enthusiasm, argues Krishnan Srinivasan. Early
enthusiasm waned as British policies came under fire at Commonwealth meetings. Public opinion
became troubled as immigration from non-white member states became large-scale.[29]

Republics[edit]
On 18 April 1949, Ireland formally became a republic in accordance with the Irish Republic of Ireland
Act 1948; in doing so, it also formally left the Commonwealth.[30] While Ireland had not actively
participated in the Commonwealth since the early 1930s, other dominions wished to become
republics without losing Commonwealth ties. The issue came to a head in April 1949 at
a Commonwealth prime ministers' meeting in London. Under the London Declaration, India agreed
that, when it became a republic in January 1950, it would remain in the Commonwealth and accept
the British Sovereign as a "symbol of the free association of its independent member nations and as
such the Head of the Commonwealth". Upon hearing this, King George VI told the Indian
politician Krishna Menon: "So, I've become 'as such'".[31] Some other Commonwealth countries that
have since become republics have chosen to leave, while others, such
as Guyana, Mauritius and Dominica, have remained members.[32]
The London Declaration is often seen as marking the beginning of the modern Commonwealth.
Following India's precedent, other nations became republics, or constitutional monarchies with their
own monarchs. While some countries retained the same monarch as the United Kingdom, their
monarchies developed differently and soon became essentially independent of the British monarchy.
The monarch is regarded as a separate legal personality in each realm, even though the same
person is monarch of each realm.[33][34][35][36]

New Commonwealth[edit]
Planners in the interwar period, like Lord Davies, who had also taken "a prominent part in building up
the League of Nations Union" in the United Kingdom, in 1932 founded the New Commonwealth
Society, of whose British section Winston Churchill became the president.[37]
The term New Commonwealth gained usage in the UK (especially in the 1960s and 1970s) to refer
to recently decolonised countries, predominantly non-white and developing. It was often used in
debates about immigration from these countries.[38] The United Kingdom and the pre-1945 dominions
became informally known as the Old Commonwealth, or more pointedly as
the white Commonwealth,[39] in reference to what had been known as the White Dominions.

Plan G and inviting Europe to join[edit]

At a time when Germany and France, together with Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and the
Netherlands, were planning what later became the European Union, and newly independent African
countries were joining the Commonwealth, new ideas were floated to prevent the United Kingdom
from becoming isolated in economic affairs. British trade with the Commonwealth was four times
larger than its trade with Europe. In 1956 and 1957 the British government under Prime
Minister Anthony Eden considered a "Plan G" to create a European free trade zone while also
protecting the favoured status of the Commonwealth.[40][41][42] The United Kingdom also considered
inviting Scandinavian and other European countries to join the Commonwealth, so that it would
become a major economic common market.
At the time of the Suez Crisis in 1956, in the face of colonial unrest and international tensions,
French prime minister Guy Mollet proposed to British prime minister Anthony Eden that their two
countries be joined in a "union". When that proposal was turned down, Mollet suggested that France
join the Commonwealth, possibly with "a common citizenship arrangement on the Irish basis". These
ideas faded away with the end of the Suez Crisis.[43][44][45]

Structure[edit]
Head of the Commonwealth[edit]
Main article: Head of the Commonwealth
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving head of the Commonwealth, was in office for 70 years.
Under the formula of the London Declaration, Charles III is the head of the Commonwealth.[2][46] When
the monarch dies, the successor to the crown does not automatically become the new head of the
Commonwealth.[47] However, at their meeting in April 2018, Commonwealth leaders agreed
that Prince Charles should succeed his mother Elizabeth II as head after her death.[48] The position is
symbolic, representing the free association of independent members,[46] the majority of which (36)
are republics, and five have monarchs of different royal houses (Brunei, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malaysia,
and Tonga).

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting[edit]

Main article: Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
The main decision-making forum of the organisation is the biennial Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting (CHOGM), where Commonwealth heads of government, including (amongst
others) prime ministers and presidents, assemble for several days to discuss matters of mutual
interest. CHOGM is the successor to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Meetings and, earlier,
the Imperial Conferences and Colonial Conferences, dating back to 1887. There are also regular
meetings of finance ministers, law ministers, health ministers, etc. Members in arrears, as special
members before them, are not invited to send representatives to either ministerial meetings or
CHOGMs.[46]
The head of government hosting the CHOGM is called the chair-in-office (CIO) and retains the
position until the following CHOGM. Since the most recent CHOGM, in Rwanda in 2022, the chair-in-
office has been the president of Rwanda.[49]
The 26th CHOGM was initially to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, in June 2020. Owing to the COVID-
19 pandemic, it was rescheduled to be held there in the week of 21 June 2021 before again being
postponed to 25-26 June 2022. It was accompanied by meetings of a Commonwealth Youth Forum,
a Commonwealth Women's Forum and a Commonwealth People's Forum.[50]

Commonwealth Secretariat[edit]
Main article: Commonwealth Secretariat
 Marlborough House, London, the headquarters of
the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth's principal intergovernmental institution
The Commonwealth Secretariat, established in 1965, is the main intergovernmental agency of the
Commonwealth, facilitating consultation and co-operation among member governments and
countries.[51] It is responsible to member governments collectively. The Commonwealth of Nations is
represented in the United Nations General Assembly by the secretariat as an observer. The
secretariat organises Commonwealth summits, meetings of ministers, consultative meetings and
technical discussions; it assists policy development and provides policy advice, and facilitates
multilateral communication among the member governments. It also provides technical assistance to
help governments in the social and economic development of their countries and in support of the
Commonwealth's fundamental political values.[52]
The secretariat is headed by the Commonwealth secretary-general, who is elected by
the Commonwealth heads of government for no more than two four-year terms. The secretary-
general and two deputy secretaries-general direct the divisions of the Secretariat. The present
secretary-general is Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, from Dominica, who took office
on 1 April 2016, succeeding Kamalesh Sharma of India (2008–2016). The first secretary-general
was Arnold Smith of Canada (1965–75), followed by Sir Shridath Ramphal of Guyana (1975–90),
Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria (1990–99), and Don McKinnon of New Zealand (2000–2008).[52]

Commonwealth citizenship and high commissioners[edit]

Main articles: Commonwealth citizen and High commissioner (Commonwealth)
Initially, Commonwealth countries were not considered to be "foreign" to each other as their citizens
were British subjects.[53][54][55] Citizenship laws have evolved independently in each Commonwealth
country. For example, in Australia, for the purpose of considering certain constitutional and legal
provisions no distinction is made between Commonwealth and foreign countries: in the High
Court case of Sue v Hill, other Commonwealth countries (specifically, the United Kingdom) were
held to be 'foreign powers'; similarly, in Nolan v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, the
nationals of other Commonwealth realms were held to be 'aliens'.
Nevertheless, some members treat resident citizens of other Commonwealth countries preferentially
to citizens of non-Commonwealth countries (see Commonwealth citizen). The United Kingdom and
several others, mostly in the Caribbean, grant the right to vote to Commonwealth citizens who reside
in those countries.
The closer association amongst Commonwealth countries is reflected in the diplomatic protocols of
the Commonwealth countries. For example, when engaging bilaterally with one another,
Commonwealth governments exchange high commissioners instead of ambassadors.[56] In non-
Commonwealth countries in which their own country is not represented, Commonwealth citizens
may seek consular assistance at the British embassy although it is for the embassy to decide, in its
discretion, whether to provide any.[57] Other alternatives can also occur such as the consular services
agreement between Canada and Australia that began in 1986.[58]
Membership[edit]

The members of the Commonwealth shaded

according to their political status. Commonwealth realms are shown in blue, while republics are
shaded pink, and members with their own monarchies are displayed in green.
Criteria[edit]
Main article: Commonwealth of Nations membership criteria
The criteria for membership of the Commonwealth of Nations have developed over time from a
series of separate documents. The Statute of Westminster 1931, as a fundamental founding
document of the organisation, laid out that membership required dominionhood. The 1949 London
Declaration ended this, allowing republican and indigenous monarchic members on the condition
that they recognised King George VI as "Head of the Commonwealth".[59] In the wake of the wave
of decolonisation in the 1960s, these constitutional principles were augmented by political,
economic, and social principles. The first of these was set out in 1961, when it was decided that
respect for racial equality would be a requirement for membership, leading directly to the withdrawal
of South Africa's re-application (which they were required to make under the formula of the London
Declaration upon becoming a republic). The 14 points of the 1971 Singapore Declaration dedicated
all members to the principles of world peace, liberty, human rights, equality, and free trade.[60]
These criteria were unenforceable for two decades,[61] until, in 1991, the Harare Declaration was
issued, dedicating the leaders to applying the Singapore principles to the completion of
decolonisation, the end of the Cold War, and the end of apartheid in South Africa.[62] The
mechanisms by which these principles would be applied were created, and the manner clarified, by
the 1995 Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme, which created the Commonwealth Ministerial
Action Group (CMAG), which has the power to rule on whether members meet the requirements for
membership under the Harare Declaration.[63] Also in 1995, an Inter-Governmental Group was
created to finalise and codify the full requirements for membership. Upon reporting in 1997, as
adopted under the Edinburgh Declaration, the Inter-Governmental Group ruled that any future
members would "as a rule" have to have a direct constitutional link with an existing member.[64]
In addition to this new rule, the former rules were consolidated into a single document. These
requirements are that members must accept and comply with the Harare principles, be
fully sovereign states, recognise King Charles III as head of the Commonwealth, accept the English
language as the means of Commonwealth communication, and respect the wishes of the general
population with regard to Commonwealth membership.[64] These requirements had undergone
review, and a report on potential amendments was presented by the Committee on Commonwealth
Membership at the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.[65] New members were not
admitted at this meeting, though applications for admission were considered at the 2009 CHOGM.[66]
New members must "as a general rule" have a direct constitutional link to an existing member. In
most cases, this is due to being a former colony of the United Kingdom, but some have links to other
countries, either exclusively or more directly (e.g., Bangladesh to Pakistan, Samoa to New Zealand,
Papua New Guinea to Australia, and Singapore to Malaysia). The first member to be admitted
without having any constitutional link to the British Empire was Mozambique in 1995 following its first
democratic elections. Mozambique was a former Portuguese colony and the Edinburgh
Declaration and the current membership guidelines came after its entry.[67]
In 2009, Rwanda became the second Commonwealth member admitted not to have any
constitutional links to Britain. It was a Belgian trust territory that had been a district of German East
Africa until World War I.[68] Consideration for Rwanda's admission was considered an "exceptional
circumstance" by the Commonwealth Secretariat.[69] Rwanda was permitted to join 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".[70] CHRI commented that: "It does not make sense to admit a state that already does
not satisfy Commonwealth standards. This would tarnish the reputation of the Commonwealth and
confirm the opinion of many people and civic organisations that the leaders of its governments do
not really care for democracy and human rights, and that its periodic, solemn declarations are
merely hot air."[70]
In 2022, Togo, a former French mandate territory, and Gabon, a former French colony, joined the
Commonwealth, despite never having been under British rule.[71]

Members[edit]
Main article: Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations

Flags of the members of the Commonwealth in Parliament

Square, London The Commonwealth flag flying at the Parliament of

Canada in Ottawa
The Commonwealth comprises 56 countries, across all inhabited continents.[72] The members have a
combined population of 2.4 billion people, almost a third of the world population, with 1.4 billion living
in India, and 94% living in either Asia or Africa.[73] After India, the next-largest Commonwealth
countries by population are Pakistan (227 million), Nigeria (213 million), Bangladesh (167 million),
and the United Kingdom (68 million). Tuvalu is the smallest member, with about 12,000 people.[74]
The land area of the Commonwealth nations is about 31,500,000 km2 (12,200,000 sq mi), or about
21% of the total world land area. The two largest Commonwealth nations by area are Canada at
9,984,670 km2 (3,855,100 sq mi) and Australia at 7,617,930 km2 (2,941,300 sq mi).[75]
The status of "member in arrears" is used to denote those that are in arrears in paying subscription
dues. The status was originally known as "special membership", but was renamed on the Committee
on Commonwealth Membership's recommendation.[76] There are currently no members in arrears.
The most recent member in arrears, Nauru, returned to full membership in June 2011.[77] Nauru has
alternated between special and full membership since joining the Commonwealth, depending on its
financial situation.[78]

Economy of member countries[edit]

Main article: List of Commonwealth of Nations countries by GDP (nominal)
In 2019, the Commonwealth members had a combined gross domestic product of over $9 trillion,
78% of which is accounted for by the four largest economies: India ($3.737 trillion), United Kingdom
($3.124 trillion), Canada ($1.652 trillion), and Australia ($1.379 trillion).[79]

Applicants[edit]
See also: Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations § Prospective members
In 1997 the Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed that, to become a member of the
Commonwealth, an applicant country should, as a rule, have had a constitutional association with an
existing Commonwealth member; that it should comply with Commonwealth values, principles and
priorities as set out in the Harare Declaration; and that it should accept Commonwealth norms and
conventions.[80]
South Sudanese politicians have expressed interest in joining the Commonwealth.[81] A senior
Commonwealth source stated in 2006 that "many people have assumed an interest from Israel, but
there has been no formal approach".[82] Israel and Palestine are both potential candidates for
membership.[82]
President Yahya Jammeh unilaterally withdrew the Gambia from the Commonwealth in October
2013.[83] However, newly elected president Adama Barrow returned the country to the organisation in
February 2018.[84]
Other eligible applicants could be any of the remaining inhabited British Overseas Territories, Crown
Dependencies, Australian external territories and the Associated States of New Zealand if they
become fully independent.[85] Many such jurisdictions are already directly represented within the
Commonwealth, particularly through the Commonwealth Family.[86] There are also former British
possessions that have not become independent. Although Hong Kong has become part of China, it
continues to participate in some of the institutions within the Commonwealth Family, including
the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,
the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Commonwealth Association of Legislative
Counsel[87][88] and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).
All three of the Crown dependencies regard their existing situation as unsatisfactory and have
lobbied for change. The States of Jersey have called on the UK foreign secretary to request that the
Commonwealth heads of government "consider granting associate membership to Jersey and the
other Crown Dependencies as well as any other territories at a similarly advanced stage of
autonomy". Jersey has proposed that it be accorded "self-representation in all Commonwealth
meetings; full participation in debates and procedures, with a right to speak where relevant and the
opportunity to enter into discussions with those who are full members; and no right to vote in the
Ministerial or Heads of Government meetings, which is reserved for full members".[89] The States of
Guernsey and the Government of the Isle of Man have made calls of a similar nature for a more
integrated relationship with the Commonwealth,[90] including more direct representation and
enhanced participation in Commonwealth organisations and meetings, including Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meetings.[91] The Chief Minister of the Isle of Man has said: "A closer
connection with the Commonwealth itself would be a welcome further development of the Island's
international relationships".[92]

Suspension[edit]
Main article: Suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations
Members can be suspended "from the Councils of the Commonwealth" for "serious or persistent
violations" of the Harare Declaration, particularly in abrogating their responsibility to have democratic
government.[93] Suspensions are agreed by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG),
which meets regularly to address potential breaches of the Harare Declaration. Suspended
members are not represented at meetings of Commonwealth leaders and ministers, although they
remain members of the organisation.
Nigeria was suspended between 11 November 1995 and 29 May 1999,[94] following its execution
of Ken Saro-Wiwa on the eve of the 1995 CHOGM.[95] Pakistan was the second country to be
suspended, on 18 October 1999, following the military coup by Pervez Musharraf.[96] The
Commonwealth's longest suspension came to an end on 22 May 2004, when Pakistan's suspension
was lifted following the restoration of the country's constitution.[97] Pakistan was suspended for a
second time, far more briefly, for six months from 22 November 2007, when Musharraf called a state
of emergency.[98] Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002 over concerns regarding the electoral and land
reform policies of Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF government,[99] before it withdrew from the organisation
in 2003.[100] On 15 May 2018, Zimbabwe applied to rejoin the Commonwealth.[101]
The declaration of a Republic in Fiji in 1987, after military coups designed to deny Indo-
Fijians political power, was not accompanied by an application to remain. Commonwealth
membership was held to have lapsed until 1997, after discriminatory provisions in the republican
constitution were repealed and reapplication for membership made.[102][103] Fiji has since been
suspended twice, with the first imposed from 6 June 2000[104] to 20 December 2001 after another
coup.[99] Fiji was suspended yet again in December 2006, following the most recent coup. At first, the
suspension applied only to membership on the Councils of the Commonwealth.[102][105] After failing to
meet a Commonwealth deadline for setting a date for national elections by 2010, Fiji was "fully
suspended" on 1 September 2009.[102][105] The secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh
Sharma, confirmed that full suspension meant that Fiji would be excluded from Commonwealth
meetings, sporting events and the technical assistance programme (with an exception for assistance
in re-establishing democracy). Sharma stated that Fiji would remain a member of the
Commonwealth during its suspension, but would be excluded from emblematic representation by the
secretariat.[102] On 19 March 2014 Fiji's full suspension was amended to a suspension from councils
of the Commonwealth by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, permitting Fiji to join a
number of Commonwealth activities, including the Commonwealth Games.[106] Fiji's suspension was
lifted in September 2014.[107] The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group fully reinstated Fiji as a
member following elections in September 2014.[108]
Most recently, during 2013 and 2014, international pressure mounted to suspend Sri Lanka from the
Commonwealth, citing grave human rights violations by the government of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa. There were also calls to change the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
2013 from Sri Lanka to another member country. Canadian prime minister Stephen
Harper threatened to boycott the event, but was instead represented at the meeting by Deepak
Obhrai. UK prime minister David Cameron also chose to attend.[109][110] These concerns were rendered
moot by the election of opposition leader Maithripala Sirisena as president in 2015.[111]

Withdrawal and termination[edit]

See also: Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations § Former members, and Member states
of the Commonwealth of Nations § Dissolved members

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As membership is purely voluntary, member governments can choose at any time to leave the
Commonwealth. The first state to do so was Ireland in 1948 following its decision to declare itself a
republic. At the time, all members accepted the British monarch as head of state as a condition of
membership. This rule was changed after Ireland's departure to allow India to retain membership
when it became a republic, although Ireland did not rejoin. Pakistan left on 30 January 1972 in
protest at the Commonwealth's recognition of breakaway Bangladesh, but rejoined on 2 August
1989. Zimbabwe's membership was suspended in 2002 on the grounds of alleged human rights
violations and deliberate misgovernment, and Zimbabwe's government terminated its membership in
2003.[112] The Gambia left the Commonwealth on 3 October 2013,[83] and rejoined on 8 February 2018.
[84]

The Maldives withdrew from the Commonwealth on 13 October 2016,[113][114] citing Commonwealth's
"punitive actions against the Maldives since 2012" after the allegedly forced resignation of Maldivian
President Mohamed Nasheed among the reasons for withdrawal.[114] Following the election of Ibrahim
Mohamed Solih as president in November 2018, the Maldives announced its intention to reapply to
join the Commonwealth.[115] They rejoined on 1 February 2020.[116]
Although heads of government have the power to suspend member states from active participation,
the Commonwealth has no provision for the expulsion of members.
Until 1948, there was a consensus among the existing half-dozen Commonwealth members
that Commonwealth realms that became a republic would cease to be members but the situation
changed in 1948 when newly independent India announced its intention to become a republic on 1
January 1950 although it wished to remain in the Commonwealth. This was granted. Now, the
majority of the Commonwealth members, including all those from Africa, are republics or have their
own native monarch.
Ireland withdrew from participation in the Commonwealth in the 1930s, attending its last
Commonwealth governmental heads' meeting in 1932. For some years Ireland considered itself to
be a republic outside the Commonwealth but the Commonwealth considered Ireland to still be a
Commonwealth member. Its treatment as a member ended on 18 April 1949 when Irish legislation
that the Commonwealth chose to regard as having caused Ireland to become a republic became
law. It is the only country whose membership terminated without any declaration withdrawing from
the organisation. Instead, it was (with its own tacit support) excluded from the organisation.
South Africa was barred from continuing as a member after it became a republic in 1961, due to
hostility from many members, particularly those in Africa and Asia as well as Canada, to its policy of
racial apartheid. The South African government withdrew its application to remain in the organisation
as a republic when it became clear at the 1961 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference that any
such application would be rejected. South Africa was re-admitted to the Commonwealth in 1994,
following its first multiracial elections that year.[117]
The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997 ended the territory's status as a part of the
Commonwealth through the United Kingdom. Non-sovereign states or regions are not permitted to
become members of the Commonwealth. The government of China has not pursued membership.
Hong Kong has nevertheless continued to participate in some of the organisations of
the Commonwealth Family, such as the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (hosted the
Commonwealth Lawyers Conference in 1983 and 2009), the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association (and the Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practice and Procedures),
the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the Commonwealth Association of Legislative
Counsel,[87][88] as well as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).