Slowjamastan, the micronation settled in the middle of the Californian desert which seeks independence from the United States.

When Randy “R Dub” Williams set out to visit and see every country in the world registered with the United Nations (UN), he didn’t expect to complete his task so quickly. But if he’s learned anything from his travels, it’s that, contrary to common sense, there are many “micronations” scattered around the globe ruled – most often – by bizarre rulers or by authoritarian rulers.

So when this DJ from “slow jam” – subgenre that mixes components of R&B and soul who works as an announcer at night, was about to meet Turkmenistan, the last of the 193 nations recognized by the UN, an idea popped into his mind: to found a micronation in the middle of the California desert calledslowjastan in honor of the name of his radio show and his musical style, later proclaiming himself “the Sultan of slowjastan ”.

“When I’m not on the radio, I’m probably traveling to a country most haven’t heard of,” he began by explaining to CNN. “One of the reasons why I created Slowjamastan is that after 193 countries, I wanted a 194th! he continues in his bright green uniform with fake military decorations.

Asked why he bought 11.07 acres (about 4.5 hectares) for $19,000 in October 2021, he said he likes to put it simply: “I ran out of country, so I ‘ve created mine,” he told the TV station. .

The idea, as ridiculous as it may seem, has a reason behind it. Formally – if one can speak of formality in this case – called the United Territories of the Sovereign Nation of the People’s Republic of Slowjamastan, the truth is that this piece of land is filled only with arid lands of the Californian desert, at except for one huge sign. next to the road that reads “welcome to Slowjamastan” and a small border post displaying the colorful flag of the micronation, it looks more like a dictatorship than a republic.

Located off California State Route 78, a two-and-a-half-hour drive northwest of San Diego, the self-proclaimed “country” operates like “a dictatorship most of the time,” Williams told CNN while detailing the system of “government” of the place.

“Sometimes we hold special votes and referenda. I recently allowed citizens to vote on what should be our national fruit, sport and even the name of our national animal,” he explained.

The paradox between the republic and the presence of a dictatorial “sultan”, he continued, is at the heart of the idea of ​​​​the DJ, who was able to see with his own eyes how real cults of personality dominated entire communities, even contradictions such as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, where the Kim dynasty rules through a kind of monarchy, now embodied by the supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.

Randy “R Dub” Williams’ project is not new. Moreover, his “independence” from the United States is dated December 1, 2021 at 12:26 p.m., a few months after he bought the site, during an event recorded and broadcast live from his “office”. which is nothing more than an open space in the middle of the desert located in dublandia capital of the Republic of Slowjamastan, detailed CNN.

In theory, the place meets most of the criteria that a sovereign nation-state must meet to be called such, as defined by the Montevideo Convention of 1933. According to Williams, or the “sultan”, the territory has a population permanent, a delimited population. and a defined territory and has the ability to establish diplomatic relations with other states, he told the same outlet.

According to “official” records, the place has 50 registered citizens, and there are another 4,500 conditionally approved or awaiting citizenship. He also, like any self-respecting “micronation”, has a list of wacky laws, such as banning the wearing of Crocs sandals and a list of actions that can lead to “banishment”, including “mumbled” raps, or people to put. their feet on the dashboard of the vehicle.

The “sultan” claims to have initiated diplomatic dialogues with 16 different nations during his recent trips, where he highlights South Africa, New Zealand and Vanuatu. Yet most important of all, the United States, is still not responding to its messages sent by Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Myspace to President Joe Biden. The nation from which he became independent apparently has yet to hear of secession, Williams said. “Maybe they’re stuck in your spam folder. We’re working on it,” he concluded.