Senegal vs Mali Flag
Senegal and Mali have nearly identical flags — both feature three vertical stripes of green, yellow, and red, representing the Pan-African colors. The only distinguishing feature is the green star in the center of Senegal's yellow stripe. This similarity is no coincidence — the two countries were once a single nation.
Key Differences
- Senegal has a green star centered on the yellow stripe; Mali's flag has no emblem.
- Senegal's flag was adopted in 1960 after the Mali Federation dissolved; Mali kept the plain tricolor.
- The original Mali Federation flag had a human figure (kanaga) which was removed for religious reasons.
- The shades of green, yellow, and red differ very slightly between the two flags.
Similarities
- Both use green, yellow, and red vertical stripes (left to right).
- Both use the Pan-African colors.
- Both were adopted in 1960 upon independence.
- Both were designed during their brief union as the Mali Federation.
Why Do Senegal and Mali Flags Look So Similar?
In 1959, Senegal and French Sudan (now Mali) formed the Mali Federation, creating a shared flag with green-yellow-red vertical stripes and a black human figure (kanaga) in the center. When the federation dissolved in 1960, both countries kept the tricolor. Mali removed the human figure due to Islamic opposition to human imagery. Senegal replaced it with a green star to differentiate its flag. The shared origin explains the near-identical design.
History of the Senegal Flag
Senegal's flag was adopted on August 20, 1960, when it separated from the Mali Federation. The original federation flag featured a black kanaga (stylized human figure) on the yellow stripe. Senegal replaced this with a green five-pointed star, known as the Star of Unity. The green-yellow-red colors represent the Pan-African movement and were common among newly independent West African nations.
History of the Mali Flag
Mali's flag was adopted on March 1, 1961, after the original Mali Federation flag was modified. The original featured a black kanaga on the yellow stripe, but this was removed because of Islamic opposition to depictions of the human form. The resulting plain tricolor of green-yellow-red was kept, using the Pan-African colors that symbolize the continent's liberation movements.
Color Comparison
Senegal Flag Colors
Mali Flag Colors
Fun Facts
- Senegal and Mali were briefly one country — the Mali Federation — for just two months in 1960.
- Guinea's flag uses the same colors in reverse order (red-yellow-green), adding to West African flag confusion.
- The Pan-African colors (green, yellow, red) come from the Ethiopian flag, one of the few African nations never colonized.
- The green star on Senegal's flag is sometimes called the Star of Unity, symbolizing African unity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Senegal and Mali flags look alike?
In 1959, Senegal and French Sudan (now Mali) formed the Mali Federation, creating a shared flag with green-yellow-red vertical stripes and a black human figure (kanaga) in the center. When the federation dissolved in 1960, both countries kept the tricolor. Mali removed the human figure due to Islamic opposition to human imagery. Senegal replaced it with a green star to differentiate its flag. The shared origin explains the near-identical design.
What is the difference between the Senegal and Mali flag?
- Senegal has a green star centered on the yellow stripe; Mali's flag has no emblem.
- Senegal's flag was adopted in 1960 after the Mali Federation dissolved; Mali kept the plain tricolor.
- The original Mali Federation flag had a human figure (kanaga) which was removed for religious reasons.
- The shades of green, yellow, and red differ very slightly between the two flags.
Are the Senegal and Mali flags the same?
No, while they look very similar, the flags of Senegal and Mali have distinct differences. Senegal has a green star centered on the yellow stripe; Mali's flag has no emblem.
Can You Tell Them Apart?
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