It isn't an independent country unless you have some sort of "special" version of the game. i.e like a pirated one for example that doesn't have all the proper files.
how bout registering your game?
I seriously doubt that a pirate would be so kind as to add an entire faction to a game (which requires additional files). Here:

Anyway, I tried adding the event in the new_nations file but I got a CTD whenever I try to trigger it.
Here is my code:
# Syracuse
country_event = {
id = 1050
trigger = {
not = { exists = SYR }
not = { has_country_flag = sicilian_nation }
owns = 100 # Syracuse
owns = 101 # Panormus
owns = 99 # Croton
or = {
or = {
100 = {
not = { primary_culture = this }
or = {
has_governor = no
and = {
has_governor = yes
governor_scope = {
or = {
not = { military = 2 }
traits = maniac
traits = incapable
traits = dumb
traits = foolish
traits = coward
}
}
}
}
}
101 = {
not = { primary_culture = this }
or = {
has_governor = no
and = {
has_governor = yes
governor_scope = {
or = {
not = { military = 2 }
traits = maniac
traits = incapable
traits = dumb
traits = foolish
traits = coward
}
}
}
}
}
99 = {
not = { primary_culture = this }
or = {
has_governor = no
and = {
has_governor = yes
governor_scope = {
or = {
not = { military = 2 }
traits = maniac
traits = incapable
traits = dumb
traits = foolish
traits = coward
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
mean_time_to_happen = {
months = 1
modifier = {
factor = 0.9
ruler = { military = 4 }
}
}
title = "EVTNAME9666"
desc = "EVTDESC9666"
option = {
name = "EVTOPTA9666" # I should have seen this coming
PAR = {
add_core = 100
add_core = 101
add_core = 99
}
100 = { secede_province = SYR }
stability = -1
set_country_flag = sicilian_nation
}
}
I didn't do anything except change the province numbers, flag names and remove some of the conditions that slowed it from triggering. Anyone spot something I did wrong?