South Sudan

The Republic of South Sudan became independent on 9 July 2011 and is the 193rd member of the United Nations.  This followed a 99% Yes vote in a referendum held on 9 January 2011 for the region to secede from The Sudan.  The new nation's flag is the design used by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement from 1983. The design now signifies one nation of black Africans united in the struggle to perpetuate peace and prosperity for all the people of South Sudan.  Autonomy was granted from 9 July 2005 under the terms of a peace agreement that ended 22 years of conflict between the north and south.

Libyan Republic

An Interim Transitional National Council was formed in Benghazi on 5 March 2011 to represent the liberation movement in the east and other parts of Libya. Neither the rebel forces nor the regime of Muammar Gadafi are in full control of the country, with a civil war in progress.  Most European countries, USA, Russia and Australia have now recognised the Council as the legitimate representatives of the Libyan people. The flag of the former Libyan Kingdom in use from 1951 to 1969 is being used by the rebel forces.  Many hand-made variants are in use.

Myanmar

Myanmar raised a new flag on 21 October 2010.  The design is contained in the new Constitution adopted 29 May 2008 that came into effect after elections in November 2010.  The design revives the colours of the triband used during the Japanese occupation of Burma in 1943-45. The large white star symbolises the Union of the states and was part of the Burmese flag used from independence in 1948 until 1974.

Malawi

The Malawi flag has been modified by legislation signed by President Bingu wa Mutharika on 29 July 2010.  The order of the stripes has been changed and the red rising sun replaced by a white fully-risen sun with 45 rays. The change is intended to symbolise the social and economic progress achieved since independence in 1964.  There was considerable criticism of the flag change from opposition political parties and the Malawi media since it was proposed in December 2009.

New Caledonia

The Congress of the French territory of New Caledonia on 13 July 2010 decided to officially adopt a local flag to be flown jointly with the French Tricolore.  The flag had previously been used unofficially in parts of the territory and is the same as that used by the Kanak independence movement since 1984. The emblem is a traditional carved wooden spire (a flèche faîtière) and tutut conch shell.

African Union

A new flag for the African Union was adopted on 31 Janaury 2010 at its Assembly of Heads of State in Addis Ababa.  The new flag was the result of a competition that prescribed a green background to symbolise hope of Africa and stars to represent the 53 member states.

Bolivia

The Wiphala was declared to be a national symbol in Article 6 of the Bolivian Constitution in February 2009.  From 5 August 2009 the Wiphala is required to be flown on all public and private buildings, jointly with the Bolivian national flag.  The Wiphala reflects the diversity of the Bolivian people.  The flags has its origins (possibly from the 1980s) as a symbol of Inca heritage and the indigenous people of the Andes.

Tokelau

Tokelau is a dependent territory of New Zealand.  In May 2008 the General Fono (legislature) agreed on the design for a new flag for Tokelau, and this was formally adopted on 21 October 2009, after the grant of a Royal Licence in August. The flag features a stylised outrigger canoe (vaka) sailing towards the Southern Cross (Manu).  The design was the result of a national symbols competition held in two stages in 2004 and 2006 - 07. 

Kosovo - Republic of Kosovo

Independence declared 17 February 2008. Independence has been recognised by the United States and several EU nations, but is not recognised by Serbia, Russia and China.  Kosovo was a province of Serbia, but has been under United Nations administration since 1999 after NATO intervention to protect the Albanian ethnic population. The Albanian flag, without differencing, is widely used by the Albanians of Kosovo, who are the ethnic majority.

Iraq - Republic of Iraq

New flag 29 January 2008 with stars removed.  Script reads: Allahu Akbar - “God is Great” - The Takbir.  Form of flag from 1963 with three green stars, Takbir added 1991 and calligraphy changed to Kufic script in 2004.

Lesotho - Kingdom of Lesotho

New flag 4 October 2006. Central emblem is a Basotho hat, (mokorotlo) which had appeared on the Lesotho flag from 1966 - 1987.  The central white stripe is 4/10ths the width of the flag.

Montenegro - Republika Crna Gora

Independent 3 June 2006, 192nd member of United Nations on 28 June 2006. Flag dates from 12 July 2004 and is similar to the Royal flag of 1861-78 and 1910-18.

Venezuela - Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

New flag 7 March 2006 with revised coat of arms and addition of 8th star. Form of flag from 16 April 1836 and colours of flag from 1811.

Congo - Kinshasa - Democratic Republic of the Congo

New flag 18 February 2006. Similar flag in use 1963 - 1971.

Afghanistan - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

New flag 18 February 2006 and is similar to the flags used 1931-73 and 2002-04. A number of variants are in use, including a flag with 1x2 proportions where the arms do not overlap the black and green stripes.

Timor-Leste - República Democrática de Timor-Leste (East Timor)

Independent 20 May 2002, 191st member of United Nations on 27 September 2002. Flag dates from 22 March 2002 and is similar to the East Timor flag from 28 November 1975, when independence was unilaterally declared.