Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his policy is on the application of South Sudan to join the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary partnership of 56 equal member countries, with common values and shared aspirations. Decisions on membership are made by consensus by all member states. There is a clear process for those who wish to join the Commonwealth, managed by the Commonwealth Secretariat in consultation with member states. Prospective members are considered against the criteria for membership, for example, in areas relating to human rights and good governance.