Republic of South Sudan
Use111000
Proportion1:2
Adoption9 July 2005 (age 21)
9 July 2011 (age 15) (as national flag)
25 August 2023 (age 3) (standardized)
DesignA horizontal tricolour of black, red, and green, fimbriated with white stripes; with a sky-blue equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bearing a yellow star
Design 2The official flag, particularly that used at the UN, features a straight (upright) yellow star within a light blue triangle.

The flag of South Sudan was adopted following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the Second Sudanese Civil War.[1] A different version of the flag was previously used as the flag of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. The flag of South Sudan predates the country, as the flag was adopted in 2005, while the country became independent in 2011.[2][3]

History

To address the discrepancies, on 25 August 2023, the Media Authority of South Sudan released an advisory to advertisement and printing companies identifying the correct version of the flag as having a light blue triangle and upright star. It is now illegal in South Sudan to distribute alternate reproductions of the flag which feature a dark blue triangle or tilted star.[4]

Description

The flag bears similarities with the flags of Sudan and Kenya. It shares the black, white, red, and green of the Sudanese flag (although the colours' symbolism are different), in addition to having a chevron along the hoist. The horizontal black, white, red, and green bands of the current South Sudanese flag share the same design as the Kenyan flag, and the Pan-African symbolism thereof. Another difference between the flags of Sudan and South Sudan is that there is a yellow star inside the blue triangle (like the flag of the Belgian Congo), representing the national unity of South Sudan.[5]

Since the flag was adopted, there have been disagreements about whether the star should be tilted to the right slightly or upright, and whether the chevron should be dark blue or sky blue. The dark blue chevron and the fixed stars were used at John Garang's funeral in 2005.[6] Variants of the flag with dark blue chevron, tilted stars, or both were commonly used until 2023, when the government declared the sky blue chevron and upright star as the only accepted version.[4]

Colours

While no officially standardized colour codes have ever been set by any legal document, on 25 August 2023, the Media Authority of South Sudan released an advisory discouraging the use of darker shades of blue (which had previously been commonplace in both official and unofficial settings). It is illegal in South Sudan to distribute an incorrect reproduction of the flag.[7]

Symbolism and representation

The South Sudanese government specifies that the colours of the flag are there to represent these descriptions of South Sudan:[2][8]

  • Black: Represents the people of South Sudan.
  • Red: Represents blood that was shed for the independence of the country.
  • Green: Represents the country's agricultural, natural wealth, land, as well as progress.[9]
  • White: Represents peace.
  • Blue: Represents waters of the Nile River, a source of life.
  • Yellow: Represents unity (of the states), hope, and determination for all people.[9]

Other flags

Political party flags

Including militant organizations barred from participation in electoral politics.

Sub-national flags

South Sudan has ten states, two administrative areas and one area with special administrative status. The ten states have adopted state flags.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement". Peace Accords Matrix. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  2. ^ "South Sudan". CRW Flags. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  3. ^ "South Sudan: Flags and Symbols and National Anthem". World Atlas. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Media Authority warns against use of wrong national flag". EyeRadio. 25 August 2023. Archived 26 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  5. ^ "South Sudan Flag". facts.co. Archived 26 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  6. ^ Ugandan leader pays respects to Garang's body on YouTube by AP Archive (5 August 2005; uploaded to YouTube on 24 July 2015). "Garang funeral procession brought forward". SudanTribune. 3 August 2005.
  7. ^ Ninrew, Chany (25 August 2023). "Media Authority warns against use of wrong national flag". Eye Radio. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Flag of South Sudan". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 14 January 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Flag of South Sudan". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  10. ^ "South Sudan". Vexilla Mundi. Retrieved 19 July 2023.