"MYSTERY OF THE BRITSH HIGH COMMISSION - MAPUTO" Top 5 Page for this destination Mozambique Local Custom Tip by DAO

Mozambique Local Customs: 19 reviews and 25 photos

MYSTERY OF THE BRITSH HIGH COMMISSION - MAPUTO - Mozambique

Ever wonder why some countries have Embassies and some have High Commissions? A High Commission (with the attendant High Commissioner) means that the country is a member of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth was the Former British Commonwealth that was formed by nations that where former British Colonies and Possessions before individual dates of Independence. In addition to being former colonies they have many things in common like the English language and driving on the left-hand side of the road. So why is there a British High Commission in Maputo?

Because Mozambique became the Commonwealth's 53rd member (and the first not to have once been associated with the British Empire) in November 1995. Mozambique, despite being a Portuguese speaking former colony of Portugal, had long been interested in Commonwealth membership. They had to gain the agreement of all the other members at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in New Zealand in 1995.

Website: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/

Review Helpfulness: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Written Jan 13, 2007
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kenHuocj Feb 20, 2013 at 3:00 AM

still amused that Mocambique is the 53rd member nation of the Commonwealth - was it because of Tiny Rowlands and the Gasfields and ??? north of the Gorongoza Game Reserve ???