Daniel Jackson, a 20-year-old with citizenship in both the UK and Australia, has proclaimed himself the president of the Free Republic of Verdis, which he asserts is a previously unclaimed patch of land along the Danube River, situated between Croatia and Serbia. Jackson’s venture has garnered a considerable number of online supporters, forming a government of volunteers and even issuing its own passports. However, the self-declared president is currently unable to set foot on the territory he claims to govern due to restrictions imposed by Croatian authorities following his 2023 attempt to settle there.

Contentious Boundaries and Claims

The foundation for Verdis is rooted in a legal dispute concerning the borders along the Danube, a river that serves as a significant boundary between the two nations. The shifting course of the river over the years has led to conflicting interpretations of the border by each country; Croatia insists it should adhere to historical cadastral maps, whereas Serbia argues it should be defined by the central line of the river. This discord has resulted in areas of land that neither country has claimed. Such territories can be referred to as “terra nullius,” a Latin phrase denoting land without sovereign ownership. Two locations along this contentious stretch are typically classified in this manner, including the area Jackson claims as Verdis.

A Journey into Nation-Building

The seed for this initiative was planted during Jackson’s teenage years, when, as a schoolboy in Melbourne, he and friends explored maps for geographical oddities. In their quest, they identified the uninhabited land along the Danube and aimed to transform it into a sovereign state. The name ‘Verdis’ was chosen, derived from the Latin term for green, reflecting their commitment to environmental causes. This land comprises around 124 acres, making it a small yet notable space, slightly larger than Vatican City.

Formal Establishment of Verdis

Jackson officially announced the creation of the Free Republic of Verdis in 2019 when he was elected president by his supporters. Subsequent efforts included the establishment of national symbols, drafting of laws, and management of a government structure, including various ministers and officials responsible for different sectors. Although Verdis has begun issuing its own passports, such documents lack international recognition, and the self-proclaimed micronation has remained largely an online community.

Exile and Online Growth

Due to his ongoing inability to access Verdis, Jackson runs the organization remotely from the UK, where he resides with a family friend. His work as a freelance game developer supplements the monetary backing for Verdis, which also derives funds from donations and merchandise. Efforts to occupy the land are compounded by Croatian authorities’ vigilance, with reports of surveillance measures increasingly hampering access.

Protests and Government Reactions

The Future of Verdis

Currently, Verdis functions under a provisional government while Jackson remains unable to physically reach the claimed territory. The organization has established a second embassy in Serbia, signifying its aim to foster connections with both Serbian and Croatian youth who may embrace the vision of an independent microstate. Jackson envisions a gradual transition of leadership, aspiring to become a citizen of Verdis himself, once a stronger foundation is achieved. He remains hopeful about the long-term viability of the project, emphasizing their steadfast commitment to sustaining the claim to the land.

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