National Flag of the Somali Democratic Republic (1954)

The East African nation of Somalia consists of two former European colonial protectorates, Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland.

After the Second World War, Italian Somaliland became a United Nations Trust Territory. 

In 1950, Italy was made trustee of Italian Somaliland (renamed Somalia) by the United Nations General Assembly, with provision for the country to receive independence after 10 years as a Trust Territory. 

The current Somali flag was adopted on the 12th of October 1954 by the United Nations administered Somalia and was inspired by the colours of the United Nations flag.

On the 1st of July 1960, Somalia achieved independence and merged with the former British Somaliland, which had received independence from Great Britain a month earlier.

The Symbolic Meaning

Blue was adopted from the United Nations flag and symbolises the blue sky over Somalia.

The five-pointed white star represents African freedom. 

Its individual points represent the five historical regions inhabited by the Somali people: Italian Somaliland (Somalia), British Somaliland (Somalia), French Somaliland (Djibouti), the Ogaden region of Ethiopia and north Kenya.