National Flag of the Republic of Sudan (1970)

Sudan is situated in north-east Africa and is the largest country on the continent.

The current national flag of Sudan was adopted on the 20th of May 1970, shortly after the 1969 military coup, which overthrew the civilian Sudanese government.

The design of the flag was the result of a nationally held flag competition and is based on the Arab Liberation Flag of Egypt. 

It replaced the blue, yellow and green horizontal striped flag that was adopted at the time of Sudan’s independence from Great Britain and Egypt’s joint colonial rule, in 1956.

ARAB LIBERATION FLAG

Egyptian army officers involved in the 1952 coup d’etat, which overthrew the Egyptian monarchy, first introduced the Arab Liberation Flag. 
It has since been the inspiration for the flags of several countries in the region. 

Red, white, black and green are called the pan-Arab colours and have been historically linked to the Arab people and Islamic faith for centuries. They symbolise Arab unity and independence.

The Symbolic Meaning

Red symbolises the struggle for Sudan’s independence and the sacrifices of the country’s martyrs.

White represents peace, light and optimism. It also recalls the White Flag League, a Sudanese nationalist movement that rose in defiance against colonial rule in 1924. 

Black symbolises Sudan; in Arabic ‘sudan’ means black. It also recalls the black flag carried by nationalists, led by the self-proclaimed the Mahdi (Mohammad Ahmed), fighting against colonial rule during the Mahdist Revolution, late in 19th century.

Green represents Islam, agriculture and the prosperity of the nation.