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Angola

República de Angola

2:3~ by Manuel Gabino, 31 Aug 2002
adopted 11 Nov 1975; new flag adopted 27 Aug 2003 - not yet ratified

Description of the flag
Coat of Arms
Presidential flag?

See also:

Description of the flag

Horizontally divided red over black.
In the middle a golden star, part of a cog wheel and a machete. Symbol is clearly inspired by hammer and sickle, and represents industrial and agricultural workers.
Yellow is to represent mineral wealth, and red and black are said to stand for 'Freedom or Death'. Officially hoisted 11 November 1975.
Zeljko Heimer, 28 November 1995

The PRA adopted a flag closely based on that of the ruling MPLA : red over black with a yellow design in the centre featuring a cogwheel, machete and star. The PRA was proclaimed by the MPLA in March 1975; it was this action which caused the final split between the MPLA, FNLA and UNITA who had previously agreed to bury their differences in the run-up to independence. Initially, it was recognized only by radical African nations and the Communist bloc. Cuba dispatched thousands of troops to Angola in 1975 to ensure victory for the MPLA, and South Africa intervened (with tacit US backing) in support of UNITA and the FNLA. Once South Africa became involved in the conflict, other African nations recognized the PRA and by 1976 it was also acknowledged by the Organization of African Unity. In contrast, the United States did not recognize the PRA until 1991 - by which time the ruling MPLA had officially abandoned Marxism, and the word "People's" from the title of the country. In view of political developments, it is quite likely that a new flag will be adopted by a future Angolan government.
Stuart A. Notholt, 1 October 1996

The country name was altered to Republic of Angola in the CoA by Angola Constitution Article 163 in Part VI issued on 24 Aug 1992.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 17 Jun 1999

Colours of Angola flag

The National Flag shall consist of two colors in horizontal bands. The upper band shall be bright red and the lower one black and they shall represent:
Bright red - The blood shed by Angolans during colonial oppression, the national liberation struggle and the defense of the country.
Black - The African continent.
In the center there shall be a composition formed by a segment of a cogwheel, symbolizing the workers and industrial production, a machete, symbolizing the peasants, agricultural production and the armed struggle, and a star, symbolizing international solidarity and progress.
The cog wheel, the machete and the star shall be yellow, symbolizing the country's wealth.
Source: the Constitution of Angola.
M.V. Blanes, 12 Sep 200