View source for Republics in the Commonwealth of Nations

{{Short description|Country with a republican form of government in the Commonwealth of Nations}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
[[Image:Commonwealth republics.svg|thumb|400px|The republics in the Commonwealth of Nations, shown in red]]

The republics in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] are the [[sovereign state]]s in the organisation with a [[republic]]an form of government. {{As of|June 2022}}, 36 out of the 56 member states were republics. While King [[Charles III]] is the titular [[Head of the Commonwealth]], he is not the head of state of the republican members. The King is however, the [[reign]]ing monarch in the [[Commonwealth realm]]s. The Head of the Commonwealth role does not carry with it any power; instead, it is a symbol of the free association of Commonwealth members.<ref name="S.A. Smith">{{cite journal |last=de Smith |first=S.A. |title=The London Declaration of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers, April 28, 1949 |journal=The Modern Law Review |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=351–354 |date=July 1949 |jstor=1090506 |doi=10.1111/j.1468-2230.1949.tb00131.x |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Except for the [[Portuguese Mozambique|former Portuguese possession of Mozambique]], the [[Ruanda-Urundi|former Belgian trust territory of Rwanda]] and the former French possessions of [[French Equatorial Africa|Gabon]] and [[French Togoland|Togo]], they are all former [[British Empire|British (or partly British) colonies]] or [[self-governing colonies]] that have evolved into republics. Most of the Commonwealth's members achieved independence while keeping the [[British monarch]] as their own individual [[head of state]] (in a form of [[personal union]]) and later became republics within the Commonwealth by abolishing the monarchy. In some other instances, the countries became republics after achieving independence from other former British colonies (as, for example, [[Bangladesh]] did from [[Pakistan]] in 1971 as a result of the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]).

==History==
Republics have been permitted as members of the Commonwealth since the [[London Declaration]] made on 28 April 1949. Ten days before that declaration, the [[Republic of Ireland]] had been declared, ensuring most of [[Ireland]]'s self-exclusion from the Commonwealth, as republics were not allowed in the Commonwealth at that time ([[Northern Ireland]], as part of the United Kingdom, remained within the Commonwealth). The Republic of Ireland did not re-apply for membership of the Commonwealth, despite being eligible to do so under the London Declaration.

The declaration was made by [[India]] to allow it to continue its membership of the Commonwealth despite its decision, implemented on 26 January 1950, to adopt a new Constitution and become a republic, abolishing the monarchy. Thus, India became the first republic within the Commonwealth. This set a precedent that all other countries were free to follow, as long as they each recognised the position of [[Head of the Commonwealth]]. A compromise between the Indian government and those, such as [[Jan Smuts]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=1949–1999: Fifty Years of a Renewing Commonwealth |journal=[[The Round Table Journal|The Round Table]] |volume=88 |issue=350 |pages=1–27 |date=April 1999 |doi=10.1080/003585399108072}}</ref> who wished not to allow republics membership, the Declaration read:
{{quote|The Government of India have ... declared and affirmed India's desire to continue her full membership of the Commonwealth of Nations and her acceptance of the King as the symbol of the free association of its independent member nations and as such the Head of the Commonwealth.<ref name="S.A. Smith" />}}

Following their independence from the United Kingdom, most Commonwealth countries retained Queen [[Elizabeth II]] as head of state, who was represented in the country by a [[Governor-General]]. The monarch adopted a title to indicate the individual sovereignty of each of these nations (such as "[[Queen of Belize]]"). With time, many of these countries became republics, passing [[constitutional amendment]]s or holding [[referendum]]s to remove the monarch as their head of state, and replacing the governor-general with an elected or appointed president. This was especially true in post-colonial Africa. Most African realms became republics within a few years of independence. As of 2022, there are 15 states headed by King  [[Charles III]], which are known as [[Commonwealth realm]]s.

Commonwealth republics usually followed the [[presidential system]]. Some states became [[parliamentary republic]]s, such as [[Malta]] or [[Fiji]]. In Fiji, the change to a republic in 1987 came as a result of two military coups, rather than out of any popular republican sentiment.

Even when Fiji was not a member of the Commonwealth, symbols of the monarchy remained, including the Queen's portrait on [[Fijian dollar|banknotes and coins]]; and, unlike in the United Kingdom, the [[Queen's Official Birthday]] is a public holiday. When Fiji was readmitted to the Commonwealth, the issue of reinstating the Queen as head of state was raised, but not pursued, although the country's [[Great Council of Chiefs]] reaffirmed that the Queen was still the country's "[[Monarchy of Fiji|Paramount Chief]]".

Some republics within the Commonwealth became republics on gaining independence from the United Kingdom; again, this was particularly true in Africa.

While the moves to both independence and republican status have broken the remaining constitutional links to the United Kingdom, a number of Commonwealth countries have retained a right of appeal directly to the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]]; for example, [[Mauritius]], and (if the case involves constitutional rights) [[Kiribati]]. In contrast with Commonwealth realms and [[British Overseas Territories]], however, such appeals are made directly to the Judicial Committee, rather than formally being made to "His Majesty in Council".

==Commonwealth membership==
{{See also|Commonwealth of Nations#Termination of membership}}

Within the Commonwealth, there is no differentiation in status between republics, Commonwealth realms and the members with their own monarchs ([[Brunei]], [[Eswatini]], [[Lesotho]], [[Malaysia]], and [[Tonga]]).

Membership of the Commonwealth is by common assent of the existing members, and this principle applies equally to territories gaining independence from the UK and to outside territories requesting membership. Until 2007, Commonwealth members that changed their internal constitutional structure to that of a republic had to re-apply for membership.<ref>{{cite web |title=Membership of the Commonwealth: Report of the Committee on Commonwealth Membership |url=http://www.thecommonwealth.org/document/34293/35144/174531/membership_report.htm |publisher=Commonwealth Secretariat |year=2007 |access-date=2 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131170458/http://www.thecommonwealth.org/document/34293/35144/174531/membership_report.htm |archive-date=31 January 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Widespread objection to the [[Apartheid|racial policies in South Africa]] resulted in that country deciding not to pursue a re-application for Commonwealth membership when it became a republic in 1961. South Africa was subsequently readmitted as a member of the Commonwealth after democratic elections in 1994. [[Fiji]] and the [[Maldives]] also did not apply for continued membership after becoming republics (Fiji was likely to be suspended in any case, since a coup had overthrown the democratically elected government), and thus their membership lapsed too.

===Current republics in the Commonwealth===
In some countries that became republics some time after independence, including [[Malta]], [[Mauritius]], and [[Trinidad and Tobago]], the new office of president was a ceremonial post, usually held by the last governor-general, each respective country being a [[parliamentary republic]]. In others, such as [[Gambia]], [[Ghana]], and [[Malawi]], the presidency was an executive post, usually first held by the last prime minister, with each respective country being a [[presidential republic]]. In the latter cases, not only was the monarchy abolished, but so was the entire [[Westminster system]] of parliamentary government.

==List of republics==
===Republics since independence===

In each case, the republic was created through a new constitution.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Member state
!Year of<br>independence
!Year of<br>joining<br>Commonwealth
!Type of<br>president
!First president
!Notes
|-
|{{CYP}}
|align="center"|1960
|align="center"|1961
|align="center"|Executive
|align="center"|New appointment
|
|-
|{{CMR}}
|align="center"|1960
|align="center"|1995
|align="center"|Executive
|align="center"|New appointment
|Independent from France since 1960
|-
|{{GAB}}
|align="center"|1960
|align="center"|2022
|align="center"|Executive
|align="center"|Incumbent Prime Minister
|Independent from France since 1960
|-
|{{TOG}}
|align="center"|1960
|align="center"|2022
|align="center"|Executive
|align="center"|Incumbent Prime Minister
|Independent from France since 1960
|-
|{{WSM}}
| align="center" |1962
| align="center" |1970
| align="center" |Ceremonial
| align="center" |New appointment
|Formerly a League of Nations Mandated Territory and a United Nations Trust Territory administered by New Zealand
|-
|{{RWA}}
| align="center" |1962
| align="center" |2009
| align="center" |Executive
| align="center" |New appointment
|Independent from Belgium since 1962
|-
|{{ZAM}}
| colspan="2" align="center" |1964
| align="center" |Executive
| align="center" |Incumbent Prime Minister
|
|-
|{{MDV}}
| align="center" |1965
| align="center" |1982
| align="center" |Executive
| align="center" |New appointment
|
|-
|{{SIN}}
| align="center" |1965
| align="center" |1966
| align="center" |Ceremonial
| align="center" |Incumbent [[Yang di-Pertuan Negara|Governor]]<br>(as a state of Malaysia)
|Formerly part of Malaysia from 1963 to 1965, when Singapore was separated from Malaysia.<br>Previously a separate Crown colony of United Kingdom from 1946.
|-
|{{BOT}}
| colspan="2" align="center" |1966
| align="center" |Executive
| align="center" |Incumbent Prime Minister
|
|-
|{{NRU}}
| align="center" |1968
| align="center" |2000
| align="center" |Executive
| align="center" |New appointment
|Formerly a League of Nations Mandated Territory and a United Nations Trust Territory administered by Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, ''de facto'' administered by Australia alone.<br>Became an independent republic in 1968, albeit, with [[special membership of the Commonwealth of Nations]] until 2000
|-
|{{BAN}}
| align="center" |1971
| align="center" |1972
| align="center" |Ceremonial
| align="center" |New appointment
|Formerly East Pakistan (1955–1971), previously a part of India as East Bengal.<br>Upon independence it became part of Pakistan as part of the Partition Plan in 1947.
|-
|{{MOZ}}
| align="center" |1975
| align="center" |1995
| align="center" |Executive
| align="center" |New appointment
|Independent from Portugal since 1975
|-
|{{SEY}}
| colspan="2" align="center" |1976
| align="center" |Executive
| align="center" |New appointment
|
|-
|{{DMA}}
| colspan="2" align="center" |1978
| align="center" |Ceremonial
| align="center" |Incumbent Governor (interim)
|
|-
|{{KIR}}
| colspan="2" align="center" |1979
| align="center" |Executive
| align="center" |Incumbent Chief Minister
|
|-
|{{VAN}}
| colspan="2" align="center" |1980
| align="center" |Ceremonial
| align="center" |New appointment
|Formerly the [[New Hebrides]], when it was an Anglo-French [[Condominium (international law)|condominium]] (1906–1980) until its accession to independence.
|-
|{{NAM}}
| colspan="2" align="center" |1990
| align="center" |Executive
| align="center" |New appointment
|Formerly a League of Nations Mandated Territory administered by South Africa.<br>Continued to be ''de facto'' administered by South Africa until independence as [[South West Africa]].
|}

===Other republics in the Commonwealth===
{{main|Commonwealth realm#Former Commonwealth realms}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Member state
!Year of<br>independence
!Became a<br>Commonwealth<br>republic
!Current<br>government<br>type
!First president
|-----
|{{BRB}}
|align="center"|1966
|align="center"|2021
|align="center"|[[Parliamentary republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General
|-----
|{{FIJ}}
|align="center"|1970
|align="center"|1987
|align="center"|[[Parliamentary republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General
|-----
|{{GMB}}
|align="center"|1965
|align="center"|1970
|align="center"|[[Presidential republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Prime Minister
|-----
|{{GHA}}
|align="center"|1957
|align="center"|1960
|align="center"|[[Presidential republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Prime Minister
|-----
|{{GUY}}
|align="center"|1966
|align="center"|1970
|align="center"|[[Parliamentary republic with an executive presidency]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General (interim)
|-----
|{{IND}}
|align="center"|1947
|align="center"|1950
|align="center"|[[Parliamentary republic]]
|align="center"|New appointment
|-----
|{{KEN}}
|align="center"|1963
|align="center"|1964
|align="center"|[[Presidential republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Prime Minister
|-----
|{{MWI}}
|align="center"|1964
|align="center"|1966
|align="center"|[[Presidential republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Prime Minister
|-----
|{{MLT}}
|align="center"|1964
|align="center"|1974
|align="center"|[[Parliamentary republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General
|-----
|{{MRI}}
|align="center"|1968
|align="center"|1992
|align="center"|[[Parliamentary republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General (interim)
|-----
|{{NGA}}
|align="center"|1960
|align="center"|1963
|align="center"|[[Presidential republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General
|-----
|{{PAK}}
|align="center"|1947
|align="center"|1956
|align="center"|[[Parliamentary republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General
|-----
|{{SLE}}
|align="center"|1961
|align="center"|1971
|align="center"|[[Presidential republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General (interim)
|-----
|{{RSA}}
|align="center"|1910<sup>1</sup>
|align="center"|1961
|align="center"|[[Parliamentary republic with an executive presidency]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General
|-----
|{{SRI}}
|align="center"|1948
|align="center"|1972
|align="center"|[[Semi-presidential republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General
|-----
|{{TAN}}<sup>2</sup>
|align="center"|1961
|align="center"|1962
|align="center"|[[Presidential republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Prime Minister
|-----
|{{TRI}}
|align="center"|1962
|align="center"|1976
|align="center"|[[Parliamentary republic]]
|align="center"|Incumbent Governor-General
|-----
|{{UGA}}<sup>3</sup>
|align="center"|1962
|align="center"|1966
|align="center"|[[Presidential republic]]
|align="center"|New appointment
|}

{{smalldiv|1=
# The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910 as a semi-sovereign nation and associated state, then became fully sovereign in 1931 with the [[Statute of Westminster 1931|Statute of Westminster]].
# The United Republic of Tanzania was formed in 1964 from the merger of [[Tanganyika (1961–1964)|Tanganyika]], which had gained independence in 1961 and became a republic in 1962, and [[Zanzibar]], which had gained independence in 1963.
# In 1963, the Queen was replaced as Uganda's head of state by an indigenous elective monarch with the title President. Uganda's elective monarchy was abolished when it became a republic in 1966.
}}

===Republics formerly in the Commonwealth===

Currently, the only former Commonwealth republics are:
* {{IRL}}, also known as the Republic of Ireland, is a republic and a former member of the Commonwealth; however, it does not fit neatly into a category as such. In 1922, as the ''[[Irish Free State]]'', it became a [[dominion]] in the [[British Commonwealth]]. In 1937, the present-day Irish state, officially called ''Ireland'', was established. Its [[Constitution of Ireland|Constitution]] established it as a ''[[de facto]]'' republic with little reference to a ''monarchy'' but equally no reference to a ''republic'' either (see [[Irish head of state from 1922 to 1949]] for further discussion on this ambiguity). 
* {{ZIM}}, a republic since 18 April 1980, left the Commonwealth in December 2003. In 2018, the government of [[Emmerson Mnangagwa]] applied to rejoin the Commonwealth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.africanews.com/2018/05/21/zimbabwe-officially-applies-to-rejoin-commonwealth |title=Zimbabwe officially applies to rejoin Commonwealth |date=May 21, 2018 |website=[[Africanews]] |access-date=3 February 2020 |archive-date=3 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203224548/https://www.africanews.com/2018/05/21/zimbabwe-officially-applies-to-rejoin-commonwealth/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Eligibility of other republics to join the Commonwealth==

{{main|Commonwealth of Nations membership criteria#Prospective members|l1=Commonwealth of Nations membership criteria > Prospective members}}

[[Image:Commonwealth of Nations interested states.png|right|500px|thumb|{{Legend|#0000FF|Commonwealth of Nations [[member states of the Commonwealth of Nations|member states]]}}

{{Legend|#0080FF|Commonwealth of Nations member state [[Dependent territory|dependencies]]}}

{{Legend|#FF8040|Applied or interested non-member states, some of them without historic constitutional association}}

{{Legend|#008000|Non-member states that were [[British protectorate]]s, [[Crown colony|colonies]], [[League of Nations mandate|mandates]] or under some other type of [[British Empire|British administration]]}}]]

The 2007 [[Commonwealth of Nations membership criteria#Kampala review|Kampala review]] of the [[Edinburgh Declaration]] delimits the nations eligible for admission to the Commonwealth to those with "a historic constitutional association with an existing Commonwealth member, save in exceptional circumstances". Various republics have a historic association with the United Kingdom as being former British-administered territories. The 2009 admission of Rwanda, which has no such association, was made under the "exceptional circumstances" proviso.<ref name="New Times">{{cite news |title=Rwanda: Joining the Commonwealth |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200911270058.html |url-status=live |work=[[The New Times (Rwanda)|The New Times]] |publisher=AllAfrica |date=27 November 2009 |access-date=29 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201045103/http://allafrica.com/stories/200911270058.html |archive-date=1 December 2009}}</ref> However, in 2022, Gabon and Togo, which were former French colonies, became new members of the Commonwealth.

The republics of [[South Sudan]],<ref>{{cite web |title=South Sudan Launches Bid to Join Commonwealth |url=http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/ArticleView/mid/519/articleId/5418/South-Sudan-Launches-Bid-to-Join-Commonwealth.aspx |url-status=live |work=gurtong.net |access-date=15 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406141603/http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/ArticleView/mid/519/articleId/5418/South-Sudan-Launches-Bid-to-Join-Commonwealth.aspx |archive-date=6 April 2020}}</ref> [[Sudan]],<ref name="Membership">{{cite news |last=Howden |first=Daniel |title=The Big Question: What is the Commonwealth's role, and is it relevant to global politics? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/the-big-question-what-is-the-commonwealths-role-and-is-it-relevant-to-global-politics-1827478.html |url-status=live |work=The Independent |location=London |date=26 November 2009 |access-date=21 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119004751/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/the-big-question-what-is-the-commonwealths-role-and-is-it-relevant-to-global-politics-1827478.html |archive-date=19 January 2012}}</ref>{{Clarify|date=January 2023}} and [[Suriname]]<ref name="Suriname plans to join the Commonwealth">{{cite web|url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12377129-suriname-plans-to-join-the-commonwealth |title=Welcome to Allvoices |work=allvoices.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625094503/http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12377129-suriname-plans-to-join-the-commonwealth |archive-date=2013-06-25}}</ref> have formally made applications, while other republics have expressed interest.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/the-big-question-what-is-the-commonwealths-role-and-is-it-relevant-to-global-politics-1827478.html|location=London|work=The Independent|first=Daniel|last=Howden|title=The Big Question: What is the Commonwealth's role, and is it relevant to global politics?|date=26 November 2009|access-date=21 November 2017|archive-date=19 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119004751/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/the-big-question-what-is-the-commonwealths-role-and-is-it-relevant-to-global-politics-1827478.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Osike | first = Felix | title = Rwanda membership delayed | url = http://www.sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=7&newsCategoryId=123&newsId=598876 | work = [[New Vision]] | date = 24 November 2007 | access-date =29 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123172352/http://www.sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=7&newsCategoryId=123&newsId=598876|archive-date=23 January 2013}}</ref> Also, the application for observer status was submitted by the unrecognized state of [[Somaliland]], whose territory is officially considered as part of Somalia. The United States ([[Thirteen Colonies]] and [[The Floridas]]), Israel ([[Mandate for Palestine]]), [[Republic of Ireland]] ([[Irish Free State]]), and the [[Persian Gulf states]], as former possessions of the British Empire, are eligible for membership but have shown no interest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/why-the-commonwealth-endures-despite-being-written-off-by-the-left-and-the-right-47142|title=Why the Commonwealth endures despite being written off by the left and the right|access-date=7 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709204828/https://theconversation.com/why-the-commonwealth-endures-despite-being-written-off-by-the-left-and-the-right-47142|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of republics]]
* [[Monarchy of Australia]]
* [[Monarchy of Canada]]
* [[Monarchy of New Zealand]]
* [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{-}}
{{Commonwealth of Nations topics}}

[[Category:Republics in the Commonwealth of Nations| ]]
[[Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations|*]]