Cameroon’s flag is a vertical tricolour of green, red, and yellow with a centred yellow five‑pointed star. Adopted as a federation in 1961 with two stars (for East and West Cameroon), it was revised in 1975 to a single ‘star of unity’ when the state became unitary. Green represents the forested south; red national unity; yellow the savannas and sun. Statutes fix a 2:3 ratio, star geometry, and protocol across public institutions and missions.
Cameroon’s national flag—green, red, yellow with a central gold star—tracks the country’s constitutional journey from federation to unitary state within a pan‑African palette.
Precedents and independence. The former French trusteeship gained independence as the Republic of Cameroon in 1960 and adopted a vertical tricolour of green, red, and yellow, echoing pan‑African colours and the French arrangement. In 1961, following a UN‑organised plebiscite, part of British Cameroons joined the republic to form a federation. The flag was then altered to include two gold stars in the upper hoist to symbolise the two federated states.
Unification and current design. Constitutional reform in 1972 created a unitary state; in 1975 the flag was revised to its present form by replacing the two hoist stars with a single yellow five‑pointed star centred on the red band—the ‘star of unity.’ The red central stripe thereby became the axis of national cohesion between green (forest zone) and yellow (savanna and northern light).
Standards and protocol
Law prescribes a 2:3 ratio; equal stripe widths; star size and exact centring; and official colour references. Protocol covers respectful handling, co‑display with foreign flags, illumination at night, half‑masting, and dignified retirement. Military and presidential standards add specific devices but the civil flag remains unchanged since 1975.
Symbolic readings. Green evokes the humid, forested south; yellow the northern savannas and sunshine; red national unity and independence struggles. The centred gold star codifies the unitary settlement while maintaining the original pan‑African chromatic identity.
Public life
and continuity. The flag is ubiquitous on public buildings, in schools, and at diplomatic posts; it anchors ceremonies on National Day (20 May). Its stable design and strong colours render it highly legible in international forums and sport, while education materials reinforce correct usage and meaning.
Cameroon’s banner thus compresses federation, unification, and pan‑African identity into a clear tricolour marked by a single star.