Republic of Mirdita

Republic of Mirdita
Republika e Mirditës
Unrecognized state
1921
Flag
Capital Prizren[1]
Religion Roman Catholic
Government Republic
President Marka Gjoni
History
 •  Established July 17, 1921
 •  Disestablished November 20, 1921

The Republic of Mirdita (Republika e Mirditës) was a short-lived unrecognized republic declared in northern Albania by Marka Gjoni and his followers. It existed between July 17 and November 20, 1921. Gjoni led his Roman Catholic Mirditë tribesmen in a rebellion against the Albanian regency and parliament established after the World War I.Yugoslavia backed Gjoni based on its interest of having another separatist region within Albania, weakening the newly created Albanian state and sharpening the religious antagonism. 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 minor level Government was run over 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 (English: "Good day") has been traditionally known for the Catholic resistance against the ruling Ottoman Muslims. This resistance has its roots in the 15th century, when the Mirditors fought Ottoman armies under the leadership of Gjergj Kastrioti - Skenderbeg. Furthermore, the Mirditors are said to be the direct brothers of the Dukagjini tribe, meaning both regions were directed by one ancestor. The Mirditors were successful in uniting with Kurbin, Lezhë, Dukagjin, Pukë, Shkodër, and Malësia areas in order to preserve their culture, religion, and obtain autonomy from the Ottoman Empire.

Proclamation and attempted establishment of Mirdita republic

In 1919, Prenk Bib Doda, chieftain (Kapedan) of the Catholic Mirdita tribe died without any clear successors.[2] Marka Gjoni, a claimant and successor for the position of Mirdita chieftain allowed Yugoslav authorities to declare on his behalf the independence of the Mirdita republic (July 1921) in Prizren, Yugoslavia.[1][3][4][2][5] Gjoni received Yugoslav support, weapons, money, and of whom placed Wrangel's White Russian army at his service for the endevour and the motive for independence he alleged was that the Albanian government or "Turks" were going to ban Catholicism.[2][5] The events of the Mirdita republic coincided with international negotiations over finalising the Albanian-Yugoslav border which was viewed as important and these discussions were ongoing during November 1921.[5] 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.[5] 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.[5] 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.[6] The Yugoslav delegation contended that two governments existed and a unity of the people did not exist.[7]

Great Britain which recognised the Albanian government in November 1921 rejected Yugoslavia's position by sending through its primeminister Lloyd George multiple heated diplomatic protests to Belgrade demanding its withdrawal from disputed areas.[7][8] The intervention by Great Britain was important as Yugoslav support for Gjoni ended thereafter.[9] The British government advised the League of Nations that actions should be taken against Yugoslavia based upon Article 16 of the League's Covenant and the Conference of Ambassadors suggested sanctions.[7][2] The League of Nations recognised Albania's borders to be those of 1913 with small territorial adjustments in favour of Yugoslavia.[7] 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.[8][3] Upon arrival Zog offered lenient terms of no reprisals if the rebellion ceased, while Gjoni fled.[8] Local Mirditor elders negotiated with Zog for a deal with the central government.[8] 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.[3] Previous arrangements dating to the Ottoman period that gave Mirdita autonomy through indirect rule were abolished.[3]

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.

Government

See also


References

Citations

Sources

Further reading


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