Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 1996
The present Ethiopian flag dates from 6 February 1996 and features on the central stripe a blue disk, symbolising peace, and a pentagram with rays emanating from its inner angles signifying “the bright prospect in sight for the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (of Ethiopia) united in their common will”. Whereas in the past a plain tricolour flag was seen far more than one with an emblem, regardless of which regime was in power, the Parliament of Ethiopia passed a Proclamation in 2009 which made the present flag mandatory and prohibited displaying it without its Emblem.