Newly independent guy has hesitation about me at first (8)
I believe the answer is:
emergent
'newly independent' is the definition.
(as in an emergent nation)
'hesitation about me at first' is the wordplay.
'hesitation' becomes 'er' (sound used when hesitating).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'at first' becomes 'gent' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'er' going around 'me' is 'emer'.
'emer'+'gent'='EMERGENT'
'guy has' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
(Other definitions for emergent that I've seen before include "Coming into existence" , "Greet men (anag) - developing" , "Rising" , "achieving prominence" , "Suddenly appearing" .)