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Somaliland (Somalia)

Unrecognzied self-proclaimed republic

by J.J.Andersson, 7 Mar 2002
Flag adopted 14 Oct 1996, coat of arms adopted (unknown)

Somaliland new flag (1996)
Somaliland old flag
Aircraft marking?
Somaliland Protectorate

See also:

Somaliland new flag (1996)

The new flag of Somaliland, the former British part of Somalia which delared it's independence some years ago, is equal horizontal striped green-white-red. On the green stripe is the "shahada" in white script, exactly like in the flag of Saudi Arabia. The white strip contains a black five pointed star. On the bitmap the flag is 175 pixels high and 305 pixels long, so if these are the real proportions it's approx. 3:5.
Mark Sensen and Jos Poels, 20 February 1997

"The new Somaliland flag has been introduced on 14 October 1996, the opening day of the National Conference. The flag had been approved earlier by the National Conference."

The five points of the star stand for the five either historical areas of Somalia or the five areas where Somalis live - IIRC they are the two Somalias now (however tenuous) united, the eastern part of Ethiopia (Ogden?), Djibouti, and E. Kenya? This is probably one of the only flags I can think of that expressly states its designs on other nations territory. Another is the Bolivian ensign - it's simple existence states Bolivia's long standing claim for sea access, currently held by Chile.
David Kendall, 21 March 1997

The star symbolizes to Somali people, and the five branches: Ogaden, Issas (Djibuti), North Somalia (British Somaliland), East Somalia (Italian Somalia), and the Somalis of North Kenya.
Jaume Ollé, 23 March 1997

I include a link to the official website of Somaliland government with a correct flag.
From the constitution:
Article 7: The Flag, the Emblem and the National Anthem
The flag of the Republic of Somaliland shall consist of three horizontal, parallel and equal sections, the top section of which is
coloured green and has inscribed in its midst in white in Arabic language (the phrase) La Ilaaho Ila-Allaah Muhammad Rasuulah-Allaah (There is no God, but Allah and Mohammad was his Prophet); the middle section is white and has inscribed in its midst an equally sided five pointed black star; and the bottom section is coloured clear red.
J.J.Andersson, 7 Mar 2002

I was reading and surfing your site (FOTW). concerning the new or current Somaliland flag (green, white and red with Shahada and black star). I was lucky to have been in Hargaysa, Somaliland capital, in 1996 just before the re-elaction of the late Somaliland president, Mr.M.I.Egal. The flag that you have seen around 1990 on that videotape belonged to the SNM (Soamliland National Movement). SNM was the rebel front which started the long war of Somaliland liberation against the former dictator of Somalia, Ziad Barre. The flag was made of horizontal red, white and green with the Shahada on the white stripe but without black star. At that time, more than