It declared independence from LOCATION@1 unilaterally in August NUMBER@1 , before joining the Federation of LOCATION@2 in September along with LOCATION@3 , PERSON@1 and LOCATION@4 as the result of the NUMBER@2 Merger Referendum of LOCATION@5 .

In NUMBER@1 LOCATION@5 joined with LOCATION@3 , PERSON@1 and LOCATION@4 to form the new nation of LOCATION@2 .
