The bold emblem, an AK-47 crossed with a hoe, set over an open book, often sparks curiosity, debate, and fascination. However, the story behind it is deeply tied to the country’s history, its struggle for liberation, and the turbulent security challenges that still shape the region today.

Mozambique adopted its flag in 1983, less than a decade after gaining independence from Portugal. The AK-47 symbolises the armed resistance led by FRELIMO (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique), which fought a 10-year guerrilla war using widely available Soviet-designed Kalashnikov rifles.

The rifle represents “defence and vigilance,” the hoe symbolises agriculture, and the book stands for education, together forming a vision of a nation that must protect itself while rebuilding.

Globally, the AK-47 is notorious for appearing in the flags and emblems of revolutionary movements, but in terms of national flags, Mozambique is the only country where the weapon remains officially included.

The Kalashnikov’s ubiquity in liberation struggles across Africa and Asia is well-documented, with the small-arms trade monitoring group Small Arms Survey noting that the AK-47 became a political and cultural icon precisely because of its durability, affordability, and availability.

While many Mozambicans see the rifle as a powerful reminder of hard-won freedom, others argue it sends the wrong message in an era where countries are under pressure to curb conflict and disarm militias.

Calls to remove the AK-47 have surfaced repeatedly, particularly from civil society groups who say the symbol conflicts with modern priorities such as peacebuilding and economic development.

However, attempts to redesign the flag have failed. In 2005, a parliamentary committee proposed a new design without the weapon. Yet the ruling party maintained that removing the rifle would erase an essential part of the nation’s identity and history.

The symbolism of arms on national symbols has gained renewed attention as Mozambique continues to battle insurgency in its northern Cabo Delgado region. The conflict, driven by extremist groups aligned with the Islamic State, has displaced over a million people since 2017.

There are 12 sovereign states in South America, each with a distinctive flag that carries culture, history and identity.

Some share colour palettes, for example, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador all draw on yellow-blue-red stripes linked to the independence era of Simón Bolívar. Others, like Brazil’s green-diamond-blue-circle design, embody unique national motifs.

But these flags aren’t just aesthetic; they signal something deeper about where the region stands and where it could go.

Economically, the region is facing slower growth amid mounting global headwinds. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects roughly 2.0 % growth for 2025 for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the wider region is wrestling with rising debt, tariffs, and volatility.

At the same time, South America is increasingly thrust into the global spotlight for other reasons: energy, critical minerals, climate, and geopolitics. A recent news feature reported that major oil producers are looking to Brazil, Guyana and Argentina to drive more than 80 % of global non-OPEC oil-production growth over the next five years, a significant pivot for the continent.

And in the lithium-rich salt flats of Bolivia, once hailed as the “Dubai of South America ” for battery-metal prospects, disappointed locals, Indigenous communities, and environmental groups are pushing back as promise turns into frustration.

Meanwhile, in regional diplomacy, the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) remains an evolving bloc with economic, political and trade ambitions.

These don’t only represent the identity of a country but also serve as a representation of the country’s history and culture.

They come in different colours, each with its meaning.

Although some countries share similar colours in flags, the arrangements will usually vary or there will be a symbol that sets it apart.

Some of these flags have existed for centuries, during the formation of nations and the shaping of world history.  Others are relatively new.

Denmark’s flag, called the Dannebrog holds the title of the world’s oldest, dating back to 1219. The flag symbolises Danish unity and monarchy. In 1625, the current design of a white Scandinavian cross on a red background was established, and the square shape was adopted in 1748.

The Netherlands flag is the second oldest after Denmark. Originally with the colours Orange, white and blue, the national flag colours were later changed to red, white and blue.