Crossword Genius

Royal flag rejected by a state of Africa (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eritrea

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'state of africa' is the definition.
'Eritrea' can be an answer for 'state' (Eritrea is an example). I'm not certain of the 'of africa' bit.

'royal flag rejected by a' is the wordplay.
'royal' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'flag' becomes 'tire' (both can mean to become weary).
'rejected' is a reversal indicator.
'by a' becomes 'ea' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'r'+'tire'='rtire'
'rtire' backwards is 'eritr'.
'eritr'+'ea'='ERITREA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eritrea that I've seen before include "Eire art found in Africa" , "Province of Ethiopia on the Red Sea" , "Country in the Horn of Africa" , "East African country" , "Eire art (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app