Self-government of Mirdita

Coordinates: 42°12′46″N 20°44′21″E / 42.21278°N 20.73917°E / 42.21278; 20.73917
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Republic of Mirdita
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Republic of Mirdita
Republika e Mirditës (Albanian)
1921
Flag of
Flag
StatusRecognized only by Greece[1]
CapitalPrizren[2]
42°12′46″N 20°44′21″E / 42.21278°N 20.73917°E / 42.21278; 20.73917
Official languagesGheg Albanian
Religion
Roman Catholic
Demonym(s)Mirditor
President 
• 1921
Marka Gjoni
History 
• Established
17 July 1921
• Disestablished
20 November 1921
Today part ofAlbania

The Republic of Mirdita was a short-lived self-administered republic in northern Albania that existed between July 17 and November 20, 1921. Led by Marka Gjoni and his followers, the Roman Catholic tribes of Mirdita instigated a revolt in June 1921 and proclaimed a new state at Prizren with support from Yugoslavia. The rebellion was a response to the Albanian regency and parliament established after World War I.[4]

The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, particularly under the newly enthroned King Aleksandar Karadjordjević, supported Gjoni's efforts, adding a geopolitical dimension as the kingdom aimed to establish another separatist region within Albania, weakening the newly formed Albanian state and exacerbating religious tensions.

Gjoni proclaimed in Prizren the founding of an independent Republic of Mirdita. Gjoni was the only president of the republic. As the republic violated the sovereignty of the Albanian state, Albanian government troops fought and eventually extinguished the republic. The putative government of the republic was overrun by the Albanian government, though no real persecution fell on the main leaders. Gjoni fled to Yugoslavia, but later returned to Albania and remained active in the political life of the highlands until his death in 1925.

History

Background

The region of Mirdita has been traditionally known for the

Skenderbeg. Furthermore, the Mirditors are said to be the direct brothers of the Dukagjini
tribe, meaning both regions were directed by one ancestor.

Proclamation and attempted establishment of Mirdita republic

New York Times
headline from 9 November 1921 about the Yugoslav incursion in Albania.

In 1919,

Wrangel's White Russian army at his service for the endeavour and the motive for independence he alleged was that the Albanian government or "Turks" were going to ban Catholicism.[5][9][6] The events of the Mirdita republic coincided with international negotiations over finalising the Albanian-Yugoslav border which was viewed by participants as important and these discussions were ongoing during November 1921.[9] Gjoni urged Yugoslavian authorities to take steps to secure the recognition of the Mirdita republic, while the Yugoslavs hoped that rebellion in northern Albania would have its territorial claims supported to the region.[9] Greece gave recognition to the Mirdita republic.[6] At the League of Nations, the Yugoslav government accused the Albanian government of being a tool of Muslim landowning elites while Albania responded that it was not a government of Muslims and represented Albanian people from all religions.[9] The Yugoslav government disputed that the Albanian government of Tirana represented all Albanians, due to the existence of the Mirdita republic which threw in doubt Albania's status of being a country thus affecting it being a League member.[10] The Yugoslav delegation contended that two governments existed and a unity of the people did not exist.[9]

Ahmet Zog was sent to the Mirdita region by the Albanian government with a contingent of Albanian troops and irregular forces that defeated the secessionist move by 20 November 1921.[11][7][6] Upon arrival Zog offered lenient terms of no reprisals if the rebellion ceased, while Gjoni fled to Yugoslavia.[11][6] Local Mirditor elders negotiated with Zog for a deal with the central government.[11] Mirdita was placed under state of siege, Gjoni and his followers were proclaimed traitors to Albania and other Mirditors associated with the events were punished in a government political court.[7] Previous arrangements dating to the Ottoman period that gave Mirdita autonomy through indirect rule were abolished.[7] After some time Marka Gjoni was allowed to return to Albania and in Mirdita was active in local affairs for a few years before his death.[6]

Legacy

The former territories of Mirdita Republic were shrunk in size and population by less than half, known today as Mirdita Region. Mirditë District would be created later. Other neighboring districts take stake to the annexed parts of "Old Mirdita" (Albanian: "Mirdita e Vjetër"), known by the locals only.

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Government

  • President: Marka Gjoni
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs: Anton Ashiku
  • Minister of War: Prenk Lleshi
  • Minister of Home Affairs: Zef Ndoci

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ Elsie 2015, "This so-called Republic of Mirdita, called to life in Prizren on 17 July 1921, supported by Serbia and recognised by Greece".
  2. ^ a b Pearson 2004, pp. 168.
  3. ISBN 9780765605283
    . Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  4. ^ Center, Free Europe Committee Mid-European Studies (1954). Mimeographed Series.
  5. ^ a b c d Tomes 2011, p. 46.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Elsie 2015, p. 232.
  7. ^ a b c d Pula 2013, p. 48.
  8. ^ Besier & Stokłosa 2014, p. 239.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i Austin 2012, p. 25.
  10. ^ Austin 2012, pp. 24–25.
  11. ^ a b c d Tomes 2011, p. 47.
  12. ^ Austin 2012, pp. 25–26.

Sources

Further reading

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