Flag of Somalia come up with a design in preparation for independence. The flag was first used in the Trust Territory of Somaliland and the short-lived State of Somaliland, which united on July 1, 1960, to form the Somali Republic. As an ethnic flag, the five-pointed white "Star of Unity" in its center represents the areas where the Somali ethnic group has traditionally resided, namely Djibouti, Somaliland (former British occupied land), the Ogaden region in Ethiopia, the North Eastern Province in Kenya, and southern Somalia (former Italian colony). The Somali flag's light blue backdrop was originally influenced by the flag of the United
South African Police Star for Distinguished Leadership SED is a gold Maltese cross with rays between the arms. In the centre is depicted a stylised aloe plant on a blue-bordered white disc on a gold diamond-shaped plaque. The reverse has the national coat of arms and the words "Stella Excellentis Ductus". On ceremonial occasions, the SED was worn on a gold collar. On other occasions, it was worn on a neck ribbon of old-gold, with a white-blue-white centre panel. There is also a four-pointed multi-rayed breast star. The SED was discontinued on 1 September 1986. After that date, police generals were awarded the Order of the Star