Page 97 - (DK) Complete Flags of the World

Africa

Congo

Ratio: 2:3 Adopted: November 20, 1959 Usage: National and Civil

The Pan-African The distinctive
colors of red, diagonal pattern
yellow, and green sets it apart
from other
Pan-African flags

Africa
# # # #AMEROON # ! 2 Congo was a French colony until independence as
#/. .'/ Congo-Brazzaville in 1960. After a coup in 1964, it
'ABON
$EM 2EP
#ONGO
became the People’s Republic (1970-91).
The current flag was originally regime which had taken power.
adopted for the autonomous republic,
established on August 18, 1959. It is AN OLD FLAG FOR A NEW ERA
in the pan-African colors used by At the National Conference for the
many other West African flags. It was restoration of democracy in 1991,
retained without change when full which restored a multiparty
independence was achieved in 1960. democracy, it was decided to re-
adopt the original flag, arms and
THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC 1970—91 national anthem. This decision was
Following the Marxist revolution made official on June 4, 1991.
in 1964, no new national flag was
officially adopted until the People’s ARMS OF CONGO
Republic was formed in 1970. The coat of arms was originally
This flag was red and contained adopted in 1963 and was designed
the national emblem in the canton. by the European heraldist Louis
The emblem depicted a wreath Mühlemann, who also designed
containing a crossed hoe and the arms of Gabon. It follows a
hammer, and a gold star. This traditional European heraldic style.
represented the communist

93