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Rwandan: Adoption of the new flag

Adoption Date of the 2001 flag
Preparation for the new (2001) flag

See also:

Rwanda

Adoption Date

A news item posted on the web site of the Rwandan parliament states that parliament amended the constitution and adopted a law on the national flag on 25 October 2001. I quote below the news item in full:

NEWS - 25 October 2001

Amendment of the Fundamental Law of the Republic of Rwanda and provisions of the bill on the National Flag

Parliamentarians voted on Thursday the amendment of the Fundamental Law of the Republic of Rwanda. They also voted provisions of the bill on the National Flag.

While on amendment of the Fundamental Law, the first, second and third paragraph of article three of the June 10, 1991 Constitution were modified as follows:

The National Flag is made of three colors : green, yellow and blue. These colours are arranged in ascending order starting with green then yellow and finally blue colors. Both green and yellow colors cover half the whole flag. The other half, the upper side of the flag, is painted blue on which sun and its rays are designed.

a) From the right hand side, there is a golden yellow color.

b) The motto of the Republic of Rwanda is Unity, Work and Patriotism.

c) The Seal of the Republic of Rwanda is made of a green circle, which from a rope in green, makes a knot on the lower side. On the upper side are read imprints: REPUBLIC OF RWANDA; beneath the knot are found the imprints showing the motto of the Republic: Unity, Work and Patriotism. These imprints are written in black on a yellow background color.

This Seal also includes the sun and its rays, sorghum, plant and coffee tree, basket, blue-cogged wheel and two shields one on the right and the other on the left.

Source: This website.
Jan Oskar Engene, 7 Jan 2002

I think that the flag has been adopted on 25 October 2001 and officially hoisted on 31 December 2001. Nothing happened on 1st January 2002.
Jan Zrzavy, 7 Jan 2002

Preparation

I found a news reports from AFP and basically containing the same information, concerning a development in the Rwandan flag change process. Nothing seems to be finally dsecided yet, but the reports are nevertheless interesting in my opinion.

From this newspage:

"NEWS IN BRIEF", Wednesday August 29, 2001

NEW FLAG, NEW FACE FOR RWANDA
THE Rwandan government has unveiled plans for a new flag, new national anthem and new emblem, the progovernment newspaper New Times has revealed. The new flag will be yellow, green and blue, the newspaper said on Monday, quoting Joseph Nsengimana, an advisor to President Paul Kagame. Rwanda's current flag is red, yellow and green. Nsengimana said the yellow would symbolise economic growth, green would represent prosperity and blue would depict good fortune and optimism. The new national emblem would be composed of several symbols, including a green ring illustrating Rwandan unity and two shields representing patriotism. The lyrics for the new national anthem have been composed by prisoners in the southern town of Butare.
Rwandans have long held that the flag should be replaced as the colour red is associated with bloodshed that has characterised
the country since independence, culminating in the 1994 genocide in which between 500 000 and 800 000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu extremists.
AFP"
Jan Oskar Engene, 16 Oct 2001

Today I have received an answer from a visitor. (My translation:)
"About the change of the flag of Rwanda, it is true that there will be a change of the rwandese national anthem and national flag, we are awaiting these changes maybe for the end of this year. If you want I'll keep you informed of these changes as soon as I know them"
Pascal Gross, 7 Dec 2001

The special convention of the ruling Patriotic Front of Rwanda (December 23-24, 2001) has reelected President Paul Kagame its Chairman, elected Christophe Bazimavo a new vice-chairman, and officially announced that new emblem, flag, and anthem would be launched on December 31, 2001.
Jan Zrzavy, 27 Dec 2001