Colors and the Meaning of the Central African Republic Flag
Blue, white, yellow, green and red in the flag are inspired by the French flag and Pan-African colors that rule the country for many years. The red color on both flags divides the flag vertically from the middle. Blue, white, green and yellow colors are positioned horizontally on both sides of red color. While these colors refer to the equality of all human beings, the people living in the forest and the people living in the savanna region are also expressed in the green and the forest regions.
There is a five-pointed golden star on the top of the blue stripe. The star symbolizes the independence of the country and its leadership in the future development of the country.
History of the Central African Republic Flag
Before 1958, the French colony Central African Republic had no flag of its own. During this period, the country was using the French flag with three vertical stripes. On December 1, 1958, the first flag by the Central African Republic Legislative Assembly was introduced and adopted.
President Barthélemy Boganda, in his speech at the Legislative Assembly, started an important period in the history of the country by saying the following words.
The President said the following words in his speech:
“Those colors, which symbolize the four states of French Equatorial Africa, also came out of my heart. The red stripe is the symbol of our blood. We have been staying in the Central African Republic for a long time.
Those colors, which symbolize the four territories constituting French Equatorial Africa but also our guide territory, Metropolitan France, came out of my heart.
The red stripe which crosses the four colors is the symbol of our blood. As we did it when France was in danger, we shall shed our blood for Africa and protect the Central African Republic, member of the French Community”.
President Barthélemy Boganda
President Jean-Bédel Bokassa offered a new flag in 1976 following his transformation into Islam under the influence of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The offer was to completely change the flag to highlight the crescent and star symbolizing Islam. However, the life of the flag lasted for a very short period of time and was rebuilt under the Central African Empire, Bokassa.
On December 4 of the same year, a constitution changed both the Emperor’s personal emblem and the current flag as the emblem of the Empire. The personal emblem of the emperor was light green, in the middle of which a golden eagle was placed on a 20-pointed golden star. It is said that it was inspired by Napoleon I’s emblem.
In 1979, after the collapse of the Central African Empire, the Central African Republic flag was re-established as a flag in 1958.
Neighboring Countries of Central African Republic
Located in the middle part of Africa, is a sea-free country. Neighbors are Cameroon in the West, Sudan, and South Sudan in the east, Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the south, Chad in the north.
Main Characteristics of the Central African Republic
The Central African Republic is an African country that has been independent in 1960. It is one of the countries with high crime rates. Bangui; is the largest city and capital of the country. It was built on the banks of the Ubangi river. There are two official languages, Sango and French. CFA franc is used as currency.
A tropical climate prevails. There are two seasons between March-October and rainy in the remaining periods. The driest months are January and February. It is the rainiest period between June and October. Its unique culinary culture is not very developed. The most popular dish is Muamba de Galinha, a chicken dish made using okra and palm oil.
| Country | Central African Republic |
| Code | CF (CAF) |
| Calling code | 236 |
| Capital city | Bangui |
| Currency | central african cfa franc (XAF) |
| Emoji symbol | 🇨🇫 |
| Highest point | Mont Ngaoui (1,420 m) |
| Internet TLD | .cf |
| Population(2017) | 4,659,080 |
| Total area | 622,984 km2 |