The Flag of Mozambique

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 the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO). 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.

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;

AK47:The nation’s determination to protect its freedom

A New flag?

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 parlimentary opposition would specifically like to see removed from the flag the image of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, which symbolizes the nation's struggle for independence, according to press reports. This drive to change these national symbols has met great resistance from public opinion.The proposition of a new flag was rejected by the FRELIMO-dominated parliament in December 2005. 169 proposed flags were turned down, including the current flag without the rifle.