Flag of Mozambique

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The flag of Mozambique was adopted on May 1, 1983. It includes the image of an AK-47 and is the only national flag in the world to feature such a modern rifle.

The flag is based on the flag of Frelimo (the Mozambique Liberation Front). The Frelimo flag, used for a brief period after the country gained its independence from Portugal, looks like the current flag but lacking the emblem.

In 2005, a competition was held to design a new flag for Mozambique. 119 entries were received and a winning flag was selected, but to this day the flag remains the same. This came in the context of a drive to create a new crest and anthem for the country. Mozambique's parliamentary opposition would specifically like to see removed from the flag the image of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, which is to symbolize the nation's struggle for independence, according to press reports.

This drive to change these national symbols has met great resistance from public opinion.

[edit] Flag Symbolism

Green: The riches of the soil
Black: The African continent
Yellow: The mineral riches
White: The peace
Red: The country’s struggle for independence

The Emblem:
Yellow star: The solidarity of the people and the socialistic beliefs of the country
Book: Education
Hoe: Peasants and agriculture
AK-47: The nation’s determination to protect its freedom

National flags	National coats of arms
Flags of sovereign states	Coats of arms of sovereign states
Flags of dependent territories	Coats of arms of dependent territories
Flags of unrecognized states	Coats of arms of unrecognized states
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Flags of formerly independent states