20-Year-Old Australian Declares Himself President Of New Micro-nation Between Croatia And Serbia.
A 20-year-old Australian has captured global attention by declaring himself president of a self-proclaimed micronation, the Free Republic of Verdis, established on a disputed 125-acre patch of forest along the Danube River between Croatia and Serbia. Daniel Jackson, a digital designer who creates virtual worlds on the gaming platform Roblox, founded the fledgling nation in 2019, turning a teenage dream into a reality that now boasts nearly 400 citizens, a flag, a cabinet, and its own currency.
The idea for Verdis began when Jackson was just 14, sparked by his fascination with unclaimed territories and inspired by the nearby micronation of Liberland. The land, known as “pocket three,” remains unclaimed due to an ongoing border dispute between Croatia and Serbia, with neither nation asserting sovereignty over it. “It was just a bit of an experiment at first with a few mates,” Jackson told news agency SWNS. “We all dreamed of creating something crazy.” By 18, he had formalised Verdis, declaring its independence on 30 May 2019, complete with a constitution, a pale blue and white striped flag, and English, Croatian, and Serbian as official languages. The micronation adopts the euro as its currency and has attracted over 15,000 citizenship applications, approving 400 based on skills like medicine and policing.
Verdis, slightly larger than Vatican City at 0.5 square kilometres, is accessible only by boat from the Croatian city of Osijek. However, attempts to settle the land have met resistance. In October 2023, Croatian police detained Jackson and several settlers, deporting them and issuing him a lifetime ban from entering Croatia, citing a “threat to homeland security.” Jackson, now running a “government in exile” from Dover, where he lives with a family friend, alleges Croatian authorities have installed surveillance along Verdis’ shoreline to block access from Serbia. “They’ve been aggressive, but we want a good relationship with them in the future,” he said, expressing hope for diplomatic ties with both nations.
Despite setbacks, Jackson remains optimistic. He frequently travels to Belgrade, where he claims Serbian officials are more receptive. Verdis issues passports to its citizens, though Jackson cautions they are not valid for international travel, despite reports of some using them successfully. “It’s a very small country, so we have to be careful who we let in,” he explained. His vision includes temporary infrastructure to establish a presence, with plans for a digitally-focused economy. Jackson insists he has no desire for power, stating, “I’m exhausted. I just want to be a normal citizen,” and plans to hold elections if Verdis gains a foothold.
The micronation’s claim rests on the terra nullius doctrine, though legal experts question its validity, noting that Croatia’s patrols suggest control over the area. Social media reactions are mixed, with some praising Jackson’s ambition and others dismissing Verdis as a publicity stunt or comparing it to Liberland, a similar micronation facing similar challenges. As Jackson continues his quest for recognition, the Free Republic of Verdis remains a bold experiment in nation-building, raising questions about sovereignty, borders, and the power of a young dreamer’s vision.