The Flag of South Sudan is the national banner of the Republic of South Sudan. It became the country's official flag on independence day, 9 July 2011, and is widely displayed on public buildings, at ceremonies and by diaspora communities.
Design and colours
The flag is a horizontal tricolour of three equal bands. From top to bottom the bands are black, red and green, each separated by thin white fimbriations represented by a narrow white stripe. At the hoist sits an equilateral triangle in blue bearing a single five-pointed star rendered in gold. The triangle and star are distinctive elements that differentiate the national flag from other Pan‑African designs.
Symbolism
The colours carry widely cited meanings: the black band represents the people of South Sudan; the red recalls the blood shed during the struggle for freedom; the green symbolizes the land, agriculture and natural wealth; the white fimbriations stand for peace; the blue triangle evokes the Nile River; and the gold star signifies unity and hope for the nation. These interpretations are commonly used in official descriptions and public commentary.
History and origins
The flag's basic arrangement is derived from the banner used by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) during the long conflict that preceded autonomy and independence. When South Sudan moved to full sovereignty in 2011 the design was adopted as the national standard, retaining the SPLM/A palette while adding the blue hoist triangle and gold star as national emblems.
Use and notable facts
- Officially used on national holidays such as Independence Day and at government institutions.
- Commonly produced in multiple sizes and formats for civic, diplomatic and military display.
- The flag's combination of Pan‑African colours and a river symbol makes it visually distinctive among African national flags.
For further visual details and official specifications consult national sources or reproduced flag guides using the links above.