Explanations:The Commonwealth is an intergovernmental organization of 56 member states, most of which are former territories of the British Empire. The British Empire was a global empire that existed from the 16th to the 20th century, during which Britain established colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories around the world. The Commonwealth, however, is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states that are committed to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
While many Commonwealth countries were indeed former British colonies, not all of them were. Mozambique, for example, was never part of the British Empire. Instead, it was a colony of Portugal from the 16th century until its independence in 1975. Mozambique joined the Commonwealth in 1995, becoming the only member country that was never a British colony. This unique status makes Mozambique stand out among Commonwealth nations.
Kenya, Lesotho, and South Africa, on the other hand, were all part of the British Empire at some point in their history. Kenya was a British colony from 1895 to 1963, Lesotho was a British protectorate from 1868 to 1966, and South Africa was a British colony until it gained independence in 1961. These countries, along with many others, were part of the British Empire and later joined the Commonwealth as independent nations.
Understanding the historical context of the British Empire and the Commonwealth is crucial for comprehending the relationships between these countries and their colonial pasts. The Commonwealth's membership includes a diverse range of countries with different colonial histories, but Mozambique's unique position as a former Portuguese colony that joined the Commonwealth underscores the organization's inclusive nature and its focus on shared values rather than a shared colonial past.