Republic of Mirdita

Republic of Mirdita Republika e Mirditës
Unrecognized state
1921
Flag
Capital		Rrëshen
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.

Yugoslavia backed Marka Gjoni who led his Roman Catholic Mirditë tribesmen in a rebellion against the Albanian regency and parliament established after the World War I. He proclaimed in Rreshen the founding of an independent "Republic of Mirdita". Marka 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.

History

The people from the region of Mirdita, throughout history, were known to have been pioneers of the Catholic faith against the ruling Muslim Ottomans. During the 15th century the Mirditas were under the leadership of George Kastrioti - Skenderbeg himself. The Mirditas are said to be the direct brothers of the Dukagjinas, meaning both regions were directed by one ancestor. Managing to exterminate any Turkish law from taking over their region, the Mirditas were successful in uniting with the Kurbinas, Lezhjans, Dukagjins, Pukjans, Shkodrans, and Malsors to preserve their rich European culture, mother religion, and freedom from the more powerful empire. Regardless to success, there are also failures and tragedies; the Mirditas republic was an overall failure. The minor level Government was run over by the larger Socialist parties of the Albanian government, more specifically King Zog of Albania. In result to this the former Mirdita republic was decreased in land size and population by less than half. Now other districts take stake to the annexed parts of "Old Mirdita" or in Albanians, "Mirdita e Vjeter" (known to by the locals).

Mirdita is a region in Albania that took its name from the widely used Albanian greeting, Good day.

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Government

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

See also

• Mirditë District
• Former countries in Europe after 1815
• Albania
• Republic of Central Albania
• Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë

References

• WorldStatesmen
• Proclamation
• Article on p. 6