Background

USAMBARA

The flag of Usambara

Usambara, officaly the People’s Democratic Republic Usambara, is a country in Africa and a member of the East African Community (EAC). Usambara’s territory overlies the East African Rift covering a diverse and expansive terrain. It is bordered by Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. 

Usamabara was occupied by the United Kingdom in 1890 and gained the status of a Colony in 1895 with the Treaty of Kamanjab. During the Second World War, Usambara was occupied by German Forces. Some of the most fierce tank battles of the war took place in Usambara. In the year 1949 the country gained the status of a special administrative region with a high degree of autonomy while remaining part of the United Kingdom. When the Cold War ended, Usambara gained additional autonomy rights and in 1994, with the second Treaty of Kamanjab, the country gained its independence. 

In 1995 the country is shaken by rival clan fighting and ethnic conflict, which escalated into civil war shortly after. The Civil War rages for three years until in 1998 a British lead UN peace enforcing mission brings the war to an uncertain peace agreement. British troops stayed behind until the end of 2000. In early 2001 President Wasswa Enyinnaya, a Himab, was elected as the first President of the newly formed People’s Democratic Republic Umsabara. After 9/11 President Adebayo signed a lease agreement with the United States of America over the former British Naval Base John’s Ridge. Since then the United States Marine Corps runs Anti-Terrorist and Anti-Pirate operations.

 

The Flag of Usambara    

The Usambara flag was adopted in August 11, 1994 as the country's flag. 

The flag of Usambara depicts five white five-point stars on a red background. The five-point stars represent the five ethnic groups living in Usambara: the indigenous Himba, Ovamba, the step tribes, as well as the colonial powers Germany and Britain. The white colour stands for the peace in which these five people live and the red background stands for both the blood spilled to achieve this peace.