The coronavirus and a row over Brexit have strained internal UK ties. Scotland's leader, Nicola Sturgeon, questioned whether the trip was "really essential" during a lockdown.

Seven years after Scots voted to remain a part of the United Kingdom, the question of independence is front and center once again.

As voters head to the polls for the Scottish Parliament elections, the issue of independence is not far from people's minds. The Scottish National Party (SNP) is hoping for a majority in the 129-seat devolved parliament, which could pave the way for a second referendum on Scottish independence. Back in 2014, Scots voted by a margin of 55 percent to stay in the UK, but since Brexit, polls have indicated a rise in support for going it alone.

Ten years ago tonight, thousands of people filled the streets of Juba to celebrate the birth of what is still the world's youngest nation. A decade on, the independence of South Sudan is unfortunately no longer a cause for celebration. From the start, the country has been hampered by inter-tribal conflict and famine. In this edition of Eye on Africa, we look back at 10 years of independence for the South Sudanese and discuss what lies ahead for the nation.

Defiant protesters wave Afghan flags at scattered rallies to mark the country's independence anniversary, days after the hardline Taliban Islamist militants swept into the capital, completing a stunning rout of government forces after a two decade insurgency.

The EU wants Poland to be fined over new laws it believes undermine the country's judiciary. European lawmakers say the punitive measures must be in place until there is compliance.

Catalan separatists held their first major rally since the start of the COVID pandemic — amid divisions in their ranks over upcoming talks with the Spanish government.

US President Joe Biden sends his best wishes as Mexico celebrates 200 years of independence, saying that both countries have learned that they are stronger when they "stand together as neighbors, partners and friends."

Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991, but few countries recognise it statehood. The territory of 4.5 million is fiercely proud of its independence, but three decades on, the lack of official status hobbles economic hopes.

In this edition, we take you to the South Pacific and the French territory of New Caledonia, which is gearing up for a high-stakes vote on independence on December 12. While other overseas territories are fully integrated into France, New Caledonia stands apart because it is still considered a colony. The reasons for that are rooted in its history – we take a closer look. To fully understand what's at stake, we speak to anthropologist and historian Benoît Trépied.

Six months later, they joyfully celebrated their independence. Ten years on, the South Sudanese are still struggling to establish peace, deal with human rights abuses committed since independence, write an inclusive constitution, and focus on developing their country.

Sixty years after the Évian Accords put an end to Algeria's bloody war of independence, we take a look at the role of women at that pivotal time. Professor Zahia Smail Salhi tells us how female fighters, informants and special agents were key in the National Liberation Movement and how those women were swiftly forgotten in the post-colonial landscape.