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Democratic Republic of Congo Historical Flags

(1885-1971)

Last modified: 2004-12-22 by jarig bakker
Keywords: zaire | congo | kinshasa | free state | rcd | stars: 6 | stars: column | star: 5 points (yellow) |
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Republic of Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) 1960 - 1963

[Congo, Rep. Dem., 1960]
by Vincent Morley, 08 Jan 1997

In 1960, the Belgian Congo became independent. The flag was adapted by the addition of six gold stars in the hoist to represent the six provinces of the new state. The state was usually called Congo-Kinshasa (Kinshasa being the capital) to distinguish it from the former French Congo to the north, which was known as Congo-Brazzaville. After the failure of the Katanganese seccession, more provinces were created. Rather than add these to the flag, US-style, a new flag was adopted in 1963.
Stuart Notholt, 10 Mar 1996

Most sources show this flag as light blue, even if the dark blue were reported in use, too. The current flag, that is basically the same, has the blue shade defined by Pantone scale, and that definition makes it darker, even if today the light flags are to be seen occasionally, even in official events. [Abbreviated discussion from the mailling list. Ed.]

People's Republic of Congo 1964-1965, i.e. the rival government in Stanville continued to use this flag.


Republic of Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) 1963 - 1966

Congo-Kinshasa flag of 1963-1971
by Željko Heimer, 26 Dec 2000

This is the flag of Congo-Kinshasa, in use from 1 July 1963 until 21 November 1971. In that year, the country was renamed Zaire and the flag was replaced with the Zairean flag, [which remained in use until 1997 — ed.].
Stuart Notholt 10 Mar 1996

On that 30th June 1963 Congo adopted a flag light blue flag was a red stripe with yellow fimbriations, running from the lower left corner to the upper right coner, and a big yellow five pointed star in the canton.
Jos Poels, 19 May 97

Various sources give diffeent position of the diagonal stripe. The one shown above seems to be the right one, even if such flags where yellow fimbriations (either of the two) touch the corners are reported, and probably were is use. [Ed.]


Later usage

The Front National de la Liberation of Jean Tshombe is reported [in 1976] by some journalists travelling in the Shaba warzone, to have the old Congolese flag: in blue a red yellow fringed dia