Flag of Somalia
The blue and white flag of Somalia is based on a proposal by Mohammed Awale Liban and is derived from the flag of the United Nations. Thus, the state wishes to thank the United Nations for the promotion and development of the country. The flag of Somalia was officially launched on 12 October 1954.
Description and significance
The five-pointed star, a symbol of freedom, stands for the five areas where Somali life. These are in addition to the former Italian and British colonies Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland, which now form the country Somalia, the former province of Ogaden in Ethiopia, the northern frontier district of Kenya and Djibouti, which claimed the land.
According to the current interpretation of the color blue symbolizes the sky and the Indian Ocean to the east of the country.
Regions in self-government
Several areas of Somalia have declared their independence since the outbreak of the Civil War. Only Somaliland ( Main article: Flag of Somaliland ), however, intends to separate from the rest of Somalia and therefore led to the founding of the state an own national flag.
There have evolved in many other de facto autonomous states, these are related but only as part of States. The organization now Azania, but at the same area previously Jubaland and Südwestsomalia, in northern Puntland, Maakhir meantime and probably Khaatumo which has recently declared 2012 and is the successor to the so-called North Country State. Most of these sub- states have longer time on its own flag waived in order to express their belonging to Somalia, Puntland and Galmudug especially so, after some time, but then made changes.
In December 2009, declared Madobe Nunow Mohammed, the Minister for Constitutional and Federal Affairs, Puntland the right to own, new flag had, as you strive for a federal state. A separate flag does not automatically mean the independence of Puntland Somalia. Shortly afterwards, on 23 December 2009, Parliament adopted a new Puntland, own flag. A horizontally divided tricolor of blue, white and green with a five-pointed white star in the center of the blue stripe. Star and blue stripes symbolize belonging to Puntland Somalia. White stands for peace and stability, green for the natural wealth of Puntland. 4 April 2011 was called in Nairobi (Kenya ) from another State in the field of Somalia, which has its territory roughly in Jubaland and bears the name Azania. Its flag is a horizontal tricolor of white, blue and red, and thus similar to the flag of Russia.
Azania State of Somalia since 2011
Galmudug State of Somalia since 2006
? Maakhir State of Somalia 2007-2008
? Maakhir State of Somalia, 2008-2009
Khaatumo State of Somalia since 2012
Puntland State of Somalia since 2009
? Somaliland 1991-1996
? Somaliland since 1996
Südwestsomalia ( Rahanweyn Resistance Army ), 2002
Derived flags abroad
The flag of Somalia was the basis for several other flags in the neighboring Somali territories.
Ogaden / ONLF, Ethiopia
Historical flags
? Sultanate Ajuuraan 14th to 17th century
? Dervish Mohammed Abdullah Hassan movement under 1896-1920
? British Somaliland 1903-1950
? British Somaliland 1950-1960