MOGADISHU – The Chairperson of the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission (ICRIC), Burhaan Aadan Cumar, has issued a directive specifying the official standards for Somalia’s national flag, emblem, and anthem, warning that any organization or official found incorrectly using these national symbols will face legal consequences.
The directive comes during the week of Somalia’s 66th Independence and Unity celebrations, which mark the historic dates of June 26 and July 1, 1960. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has formed a national organizing committee to manage preparations for the anniversary celebrations, which commemorate the end of colonial rule and the 1960 unification of northern and southern Somalia to form the Somali Republic.
According to a press statement issued under the Commission’s constitutional authority as outlined in Chapter 15 of Somalia’s Constitution (2026), the Chairperson highlighted that the national flag and emblem have frequently been displayed with incorrect colors, causing confusion about their proper appearance.
The Commission has previously issued governance directives under its constitutional mandate, including a ruling on the prohibition of dual office-holding for ministers serving in parliament. The Commission has consistently referenced its constitutional authority as outlined in Chapter 15 of the Constitution.
Official Flag Colors and Specifications
The Commission instructed all government bodies, Somali citizens, and any organizations utilizing the national flag and emblem to strictly follow the official color detailed in Schedule One (A) and Schedule One (B) of the Constitution. The approved light blue color is specified as Hex Code #B5D7F1 with RGB values (181, 215, 241).
The Somali flag, first adopted on October 12, 1954, was designed by Mohammed Awale Liban. The flag features a single white five-pointed star centered on a light blue field. The five points of the star represent the five regions in which Somalis reside: British Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, French Somaliland (now Djibouti), the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, and the Northern Frontier District of Kenya. The light blue field was originally taken from the United Nations flag, serving as a tribute to the UN’s assistance to Somalia during the trusteeship period from 1950 to 1960.
National Emblem and Anthem Specifications
The emblem of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as shown in Schedule One (B) of the Constitution, is a blue shield with a gold frame, in the center of which is a silver-coated, five-pointed star. The shield is surmounted by a decorated emblem with five golden heads, with two lateral ones halved. The shield is borne from the sides by two leopards facing each other under the lower point of the shield, along with two palm leaves which are interlaced with a white ribbon.
The statement also confirmed that the definitive version of Somalia’s national anthem is the one included in Schedule One (C) of the Constitution. The national anthem, titled “Qolobaa Calankeed” (English: “Every Nation Has Its Own Flag”), was written and composed by Abdullahi Qarshe and was adopted with the passage of the Somali national constitution. The anthem replaced “Soomaaliyeey toosoo” (“Somalis, Wake Up”), which had been in use since 2000.
Legal Consequences for Non-Compliance
The Commission cautioned that any organization or official found incorrectly using the national flag, emblem, or anthem will face legal consequences as per national legislation. The directive applies to federal government offices, federal member state institutions, and other public entities, which have been urged to update official documents, signage, and branding where necessary.
Additionally, all federal and federal member state government agencies were ordered to properly display the national flag at their locations in accordance with constitutional specifications.
The Commission has also held consultative meetings with senior officials from the Accountant General’s office to finalize the financial provisions of the provisional constitution. Those discussions focused on defining the responsibilities and operational parameters of the Accountant General within the Finance Chapter.
Public Engagement and Digital Platform
The Commission developed a Digital Platform for Public Consultations on Constitutional Review, launched by House of the People Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe. The platform serves as a tool for engaging with the public and gathering feedback on proposed constitutional amendments.
Constitutional Basis and State-Building Context
The directive was issued under the Commission’s constitutional mandate as outlined in Chapter 15 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia (2026). Article 6 of the Somali Constitution specifies that the flag of the Federal Republic of Somalia is a light blue rectangle in the center of which is a white star with five equal points.
National symbols remain an important part of Somalia’s state-building process as the country continues efforts to strengthen institutions and reinforce a shared national identity following decades of conflict and political fragmentation. The standardization of national symbols is seen as a step toward institutional consolidation and the promotion of national unity.
Recommended Reading On ftlsomalia.com:
