By Prof. Dr. Nevila Nika | Votra Magazine
“ A Long Road to Freedom”
The journey to Kosovo’s independence was long, painful, and extremely difficult. Over a span of just over a century, from 1878 to 1999, Albanians across their ancestral lands endured immense suffering, ethnic cleansing, and relentless oppression. The neighboring regime systematically sought to erase Albanian identity, yet the resistance of the Albanian people remained unwavering—even in the darkest times, when they stood not only against their neighbors but also against the Great Powers and the shifting stance of the Ottoman Empire.
One of the strongest testaments to this resistance was the League of Prizren (1878–1881). With branches established across all four Albanian vilayets, the League was a nationwide movement that sought to protect Albania’s territorial integrity. To understand the motives behind this unification, one only needs to read a few lines from the memorandum that the people of Shkodra sent to the British Foreign Minister, Lord Beaconsfield in 1878:
Just as we are not and do not wish to be Turks, we will resist with all our might anyone who attempts to make us Slavs, Austrians, or Greeks. We desire nothing more than to remain Albanians.
The memorandum boldly stated that an independent Albania would not only be a shield against Slavic expansionism but also a crucial geopolitical and trade balance in the region. Despite this, the Great Powers convened in the Congress of Berlin (1878) and sacrificed Albanian lands to satisfy the territorial ambitions of Serbia and Montenegro. The forced cession of Ulcinj and Bar to Montenegro was met with fierce Albanian resistance, and it was only under international naval intervention that these cities were handed over.
The Struggle Continues
The decades that followed were marked by constant efforts to defend Albanian lands from further partition. The Great Uprisings of 1910–1912, with massive participation from Kosovo, Dibra, Malsia e Madhe, Plavë, Guci, and even parts of southern Albania, culminated in the historic event of November 28, 1912, when Albania declared independence in Vlora. However, this victory came at a devastating cost—half of the Albanian nation was left outside the borders of the newly recognized Albanian state, leading to generations of oppression and displacement.
One of the most tragic consequences was the mass forced displacement of Albanians. In the aftermath of World War I, a wave of persecution forced tens of thousands of Albanians to flee Kosovo and other occupied territories. In 1918, the “Committee for the National Defense of Kosovo” was established in Shkodra under the leadership of Hoxha Kadri Prishtina, who dedicated his life to exposing the genocide and ethnic cleansing perpetrated against Albanians. According to data collected by the committee, an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 Albanians were killed or expelled between 1912 and 1921.
The oppression continued throughout the 20th century, with waves of forced migrations, particularly to Turkey and Albania. Between 1955 and 1965, nearly 500,000 Albanians were forcibly expelled under Tito’s regime. Those who remained faced institutional discrimination, economic deprivation, and state-sanctioned violence.
A Turning Point in 1968
The 1968 demonstrations in Kosovo marked a turning point, signaling the beginning of an organized movement toward independence. These protests forced the Yugoslav regime to grant limited autonomy to Kosovo, allowing for the establishment of the University of Prishtina and greater cultural ties with Albania. However, repression remained severe.
By 1981, the student-led demonstrations erupted into a broader national movement. The Yugoslav state responded with brutal crackdowns, further fueling the resolve of the people. What followed was nearly two decades of systemic oppression, including the closure of Albanian schools, mass dismissals from jobs, and apartheid-like policies imposed on Albanians. The Albanian diaspora played a crucial role in keeping Kosovo’s economy and resistance alive during these years.
The Final Battle for Freedom
During the 1990s, as Yugoslavia disintegrated, Kosovo became a focal point of one of the last liberation struggles in Europe. Initially adopting Gandhian nonviolent resistance under the leadership of Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, Kosovo’s movement for freedom ultimately led to armed resistance spearheaded by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), with legendary fighters like Adem Jashari leading the charge.
The international community could no longer ignore the systematic ethnic cleansing against Albanians. In 1999, after years of escalating violence and NATO intervention, Kosovo was liberated, and on February 17, 2008, Kosovo finally declared independence—realizing a dream for which generations had fought and sacrificed.
Unity and Progress
February 17 is not just a day of independence—it is a day of honoring all those who gave everything for the homeland of their ancestors. This achievement belongs not only to the people of Kosovo but to all Albanians around the world, particularly those in the diaspora, who have excelled in various fields and continue to advocate for Kosovo’s international recognition and prosperity.
On this historic day, let us commit ourselves to strengthening the Republic of Kosovo, ensuring its progress on the global stage, and building a future worthy of the sacrifices made.
With heartfelt congratulations on this sacred day.
Prof. Dr. Nevila Nika,
Granddaughter of Hoxha Kadri Prishtina
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Reference Links
- https://www.votramagazine.com/kosova-should-remember-its-history-as-it-gains-recognition-into-the-various-international-arenas/
- https://www.votramagazine.com/ibrahim-rugova-the-icon-of-independence-and-peace-in-kosovo/
- https://www.votramagazine.com/legacy-of-leadership-kosovos-brave-women-at-the-forefront-of-change/
- https://www.votramagazine.com/new-born-celebrating-kosovos-16th-independence-anniversary-with-a-message-of-
- freedom-and-unity/
- https://www.votramagazine.com/ibrahim-rugova-advocate-of-peaceful-independence-for-kosovo/
Reference Links for Kosovo
- Official Government of Kosovo – https://www.rks-gov.net/
- Kosovo Independence Declaration (UNMIK Archive) – https://www.unmikonline.org/
- Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Diaspora – https://mfa-ks.net/
- Prizren League Museum – History of Albanian Nationalism – https://muzeuiprizenit.com/
