Let’s consider it somewhat reliable. Situations and circumstances keep changing, but conflicts rarely end. Sometimes, or mostly, its war that leads to the division of borders. There are regions and ethnicities that believe they have means to survive and sustain on their own. 

Some can, some can’t. But a fight for independence has been ongoing for a long time in may parts of the world.

As a result, the world may see the formation of new countries and borders. Here are 7 such nations that be formed in the near future:

1. Catalonia

Catalonia is based in Barcelona, Spain. It is the financial hub of the country. But Catalans have been wanting a separate state for a very long time. 

In the 2014 referendum, over 80% Catalans voted for it too. It was deemed illegal, but was carried out to gauge the reaction of the population.

Catalonia’s recent referendum, in 2017, was interrupted by police crackdowns on the voters. Though the turnout was low, Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont believes his people deserve independence but is willing to hold talks with the Spanish government.

Catalans have often believed that they have enough resources to sustain themselves, but other EU members have opposed its separation. Still, this scenario is still largely possible.

2. Kurdistan

Kurdistan has been home to agitations for decades now. The fight for a separate state doesn’t seem to end. All that and they also had to deal with ISIS and the Syrian Civil War. 

However, the citizens believed that they deserved independence because they were able to drive out ISIS from the region. In 2016, Kurdish president Barzani said that “Now the time is ripe for the people of Kurdistan to decide their future through a referendum.”

A recent referendum held in September 2017 saw 92% of the voters wanting independence. Iraq rejected the referendum, but the fight for independence goes on.

3. East & West Libya

Barack Obama, while in office, claimed that the biggest mistake of his presidency was not preparing for the aftermath of Gaddafi being overthrown. The event sent the country of Libya into turmoil due to extremists fighting to take control.

The country has been seeking a new direction, a new dawn since. As a result, there are many governments trying to run the show. 

One is the internationally recognised and UN backed government in Tripoli, which is the West. Then there are those who favour General Khalifa Haftar’s government, in the East in Tobruk. 

There are other self-proclaimed governments as well. But these are the two major factions. Their war seems to have divided the country. East and West Libya may soon be a reality, although it won’t help the situation of the citizens as it will definitely be a political and geographical nightmare.

4. Somaliland

The region considers itself as independent. In fact, it also has informal ties with many countries. But the government is only recognised as de facto internationally.

Somaliland lies in the north-western part of Somalia. It has its own currency, own government and even maintains its own army.

The fact that the state functions on its own led to a self-proclaimed independence. 

But a formal recognition from the world as the Government of the Republic of Somaliland is what they truly seek.

5. Republika Srpska

Yugoslavia, when disintegrated, was split into 7 different regions – Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia, Kosovo and Montenegro.

The Republic of Bosnia & Herzegovina consists of two largely autonomous entities –  Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina which is inhabited by Croats and, Republika Srpska, Serb Republic, (RS) which is inhabited by Serbs.

The Bosniaks claim RS’s claim for independence is illegitimate. But the Serbs of RS crave independence.

An earlier referendum had been postponed and thwarted. There have been reports suggesting that they won’t get independence for the next 10-15 years. However, there are American analysts who claim that RS will gain independence by 2026. So, who knows?

6. Scotland

In 2014, a referendum of Scottish independence from the UK was unsuccessful, though talk of it never seems to die. There are other things to worry about as well.

The previous referendum saw 55% of the public wanting to stay with the UK.

But during the voting for Brexit, 62% of them wanted to stay with the EU. That did not happen. But did it inflict a sense of nationalism? 

This gave hope to their first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, like many ministers before her, that the majority will finally support independence. The terms of Brexit are not entirely clear as yet. And there are other domestic issues at hand as well. 

She recently said – “We may not yet know exactly when the choice will be made. But we can, we must, and we will make the case for independence always.”

7. Western Sahara

Western Sahara is a disputed territory that is claimed by the Polisario Front and also by Morocco. Since 1991, the UN has seen to it that a ceasefire stays in effect.

There are countries which have shown support towards Morocco having legal sovereignty over the area. But many treat it as an independent state.

The UN does not recognize anyone’s rule over the area.

The UN has, thus, been trying to hold a referendum and is in talks with both parties to solve the matter of sovereignty.

The world is evolving, it always does. And whether we like it or not, change is inevitable. Who knows what maps of the world would look like a few decades from now?