The Commonwealth, also known as the Commonwealth of Nations, is an association of 56 member states, most of which were former territories of the British Empire. These nations are home to 2.7 billion people, which includes both advanced and developing economies. The Commonwealth has a charter with sixteen key values and principles covering cooperation, peace, democracy, gender equality, human rights, rule of law, and good governance and development.
Although the Commonwealth does not possess any special powers, its members have certain shared history and values and have agreed to make the British monarch head of the commonwealth. It has a secretariat, based in Britain and organizes the Commonwealth Games every four years.
Many have questioned whether this organisation is important or relevant given the plethora of trade associations worldwide and the number of bilateral and multilateral associations in existence seeking to promote similar values. In addition, there is not much clarity as to its impact and relevance, relative to the United Nations and its other bodies.
The Commonwealth indicates the following as important economic indicators for those countries that are members.
- Combined GDP of Commonwealth countries in 2021 was US$13.1 trillion and is estimated to reach $19.5 trillion in 2027, almost doubling in ten years from $10.4 trillion in 2017.
- Bilateral costs for trading partners in Commonwealth countries are on average 19 per cent less than between those in non-member countries.
- Half of the top 20 global emerging cities are in the Commonwealth: New Delhi, Mumbai, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Bangalore, Johannesburg, Kolkata, Cape Town, Chennai and Dhaka.
- Many small and developing Commonwealth countries are among those with the lowest ecological footprints worldwide.
- Commonwealth countries are among the highest performing in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance and make up 7 of the top 10 nations.
- In Sub-Saharan Africa, Commonwealth countries make up 7 of the top 10 highest performing countries for gender equality. (commonwealth secretariat website).
The above notwithstanding, the secretariat’s assertions have not been significantly proven by impact on its member states. Many African countries that have been part of the commonwealth have not seen benefits that have changed their economies or trade balances with the West. This can be attributed to the following;
- Declining Influence of the UK: The Commonwealth is not what it used to be. The fact that the United Kingdom is not seen as a major player on the international scene affects the organisation. The importance of the UK has diminished in global political and economic influence. The changing dynamics of global power—particularly the rise of the U.S., China, and other emerging economies—means the Commonwealth doesn’t carry the same weight in global politics as it once did. Many young Africans see continuous alliance with a former colonial power to be exploitative and an attempt to ensure markets for British goods and services.
- Diverse Political and Economic Interests: The Commonwealth comprises a broad range of countries, from highly developed to developing countries. The vast differences in political, economic, and cultural contexts sometimes make it difficult for the organization to present a united front or take effective action on international issues. Disparities in economic power, governance, and regional priorities remain and this means that some countries may place allegiance to their regional groupings ahead of the commonwealth which gives nothing or very little to them. Naturally this leads to conflicting interests within the Commonwealth.
- Lack of Binding Authority: Unlike other international organizations, such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth does not have binding resolutions or enforcement mechanisms. Its ability to compel member states to act on issues such as human rights or climate change is limited, and its actions often rely on persuasion rather than formal decision-making. This lack of authority can undermine its relevance on the global stage.
- Aging Identity and Symbolism: Many critics argue that the Commonwealth’s identity, rooted in colonial history is outdated. While the Commonwealth has worked to evolve beyond its imperial past, for some nations, its legacy is still tied to colonialism and exploitation. The association’s symbolism no longer resonates with younger African generations.
- Internal Disagreements: The Commonwealth is not immune to internal divisions. Disagreements on issues like the role of the monarchy, governance models, or human rights abuses in certain member states can lead to tensions. The Commonwealth for instance, did nothing of significance when apartheid was in existence. Indeed, the husband of the Brisith Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was doing business with South Africa even when the organisation claimed to promote human rights. These painful moments in its history, and its inability to undertake firm action are sore points in the past which threaten its future.
- Competition from Other International Bodies: The rise of other international institutions such as the United Nations, G7, G20, and regional organizations like the African Union, ASEAN, or the European Union has shifted the focus of international diplomacy and cooperation. Indeed, the tilt towards BRICS countries is more appealing for Africa because of the benefits in the medium to long term.
- Shifting Global Priorities: The priorities of the commonwealth have remained largely the same for a long time. Africa’s new threats and challenges – trade, terrorism, cyber security etc, may not always align with the most urgent concerns in regional governance.
- AfCFTA: The AfCFTA Agreement is the treaty establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area and providing for Protocols on Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights, and Competition Policy. It covers a significant area with a combined population of 1.3 billion people and a combined gdp of 3.4 trillion. This presents a real opportunity for Africa rather than the commonwealth which has been in existence for a long time but delivered little.
The question of whether African countries should remain with the Commonwealth is a complex one, and there are a number of perspectives on the issue. While some argue that the historical legacy of colonialism and the Commonwealth’s ties to the British Empire might provide reasons for African countries to consider leaving, others believe the benefits of continued membership, such as cooperation on economic, educational, and developmental matters, still outweigh the drawbacks. While CISA does not want to state categorically that West Africa needs to leave the Commonwealth, it is imperative for ECOWAS to make that decision for itself. However, it is important to recognize that a focus on developing its own institutions and ensuring that they work is more important.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) does not achieve anything. It is a platform for governments to meet and fraternize and where possible make commitments to issues that the organisation cannot enforce. More importantly, West Africa needs to assess the true benefits that come from such associations to determine its continued membership going into the future.
Whether African countries should leave the Commonwealth is ultimately a matter of balancing historical considerations, economic opportunities, and geopolitical interests. For some, leaving the Commonwealth could be a symbolic and practical step toward full independence and unity through Pan-African frameworks. For others, remaining in the Commonwealth offers valuable opportunities for collaboration, development, and global influence, without necessarily diminishing African sovereignty.
The decision would depend on each country’s individual circumstances, priorities, and the evolving relationship between African nations and their former colonial powers. It is worth noting that out of the 56 member states, 21 are in Africa and this number is significant. Continued membership should be based on relevance and benefits in terms of opportunities for its African member states.
