Is Namibia A Member Of The Commonwealth? Exploring Its Status

Namibia, with its capital and largest city being Windhoek, is a sovereign nation located in southwestern Africa. It is an active member of various international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Union (AU). However, it is important to note that Namibia is no longer a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Several African countries have become members of the Commonwealth, an intergovernmental organization of countries that were mostly former territories of the British Empire. Cameroon became a member in October 1995, followed by Mozambique in November of the same year. Mozambique had expressed a strong desire to join the association and had been associated with it during the prolonged struggle for racial equality in Southern Africa. Additionally, Rwanda joined as the 54th member in November 2009. These nations’ inclusion in the Commonwealth reflects a diverse range of countries and their shared commitment to certain values and principles.

Which countries are not part of the Commonwealth? To answer that question, let’s explore the history of former British protectorates and mandates that chose not to join the Commonwealth of Nations. Egypt, which gained independence in 1922, opted to stay outside the Commonwealth. Similarly, Iraq asserted its independence in 1932 and did not become a member. Transjordan, now known as Jordan, followed suit in 1946. Palestine, a region that later saw the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, did not join the Commonwealth. Sudan, after achieving independence in 1956, also decided against Commonwealth membership. British Somaliland, which eventually united with former Italian Somaliland in 1960 to form the independent state of Somalia, is another example of a former British territory that did not become part of the Commonwealth. These countries’ decisions shaped their post-colonial paths, leading them to remain outside the Commonwealth community.