UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence)

A Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) occurs when a region or group within a country proclaims itself as a separate, independent state without the consent of the national government or international approval. It is a formal, often symbolic act that asserts sovereignty and aims to establish a new nation. However, UDIs are usually legally and diplomatically contentious because they bypass the existing legal processes for independence, potentially leading to disputes, conflict, or international recognition depending on the situation. Examples include the declaration of independence by Catalonia in Spain or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.