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Difficulty: MediumThe Commonwealth of Nations: Structure, Functions, and Nigeria's Role

In November 1995, Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations following the execution of human rights activists under the military regime of General Sani Abacha. Which principal organ of the Commonwealth made the official decision to execute this suspension during its summit in Auckland, New Zealand?

  1. Commonwealth Heads of Government MeetingAnswer
  2. B
    Commonwealth Secretariat
  3. C
    Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
  4. D
    Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Answer

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is the supreme political authority and policy-making body of the Commonwealth of Nations. Decisions concerning high-level political sanctions and membership suspensions, such as Nigeria's suspension in November 1995 over human rights violations under General Sani Abacha's military administration, are made exclusively at CHOGM by consensus among the heads of state and government.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the organizational hierarchy and decision-making bodies of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Recognize that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is the highest policy-formulating and decision-making authority comprising prime ministers and presidents of member states.
CHOGM meets biennially to deliberate on major global political issues, policy directions, and member sanctions.
2
Analyze Nigeria's 1995 suspension context within the Commonwealth.
Confirm that during the Auckland summit in November 1995, CHOGM formally suspended Nigeria due to severe violations of human rights and the principles of the Harare Commonwealth Declaration.
Only the assembled Heads of Government at CHOGM possess the sovereign consensus authority to suspend or readmit member nations.

Key Concept

Organizational structure and decision-making authority of the Commonwealth of Nations regarding member state sanctions
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

The Commonwealth of Nations: Structure, Functions, and Nigeria's Role

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