Sulejman Pashë Delvina was born on October 5, 1871, in Delvina and passed away in Vlorë on August 1, 1933. He was a prominent Albanian patriot and politician who served as prime minister from January 30, 1920, to November 14, 1920. Additionally, he was a member of Fan Noli’s government in 1924.

He completed his secondary education at the ‘Zosimea’ gymnasium in Ioannina and went on to pursue higher studies in Istanbul, graduating from ‘Mylkie’ University in 1898. He began his career as an attaché at the Ottoman Ministry of Internal Affairs and later served as a secretary at the Prime Minister’s office, as well as a professor at the high school of Gallatasarai and the Vefa gymnasium. He eventually rose to the position of section chief at the Ministry of Interior and later served as the general director of vilayets.

Sulejman Pashë Delvina was one of the main figures of the Albanian club in Istanbul. Alongside other patriots, he vehemently opposed the Young Turk policies and the chauvinistic ambitions of neighboring monarchies towards Albania. In July 1911, he spearheaded a demonstration of Albanian students in Istanbul, advocating for the preservation of the Albanian alphabet and their rightful demands. He was also one of the signatories of the November 18 declaration presented to the representatives of the Great Powers in Istanbul, urging them to recognize the national rights of the Albanian people.

In April 1919, the Albanian colony in Turkey entrusted Sulejman Pashë Delvina with the task of representing Albania at the Peace Conference in Paris. His mission was to advocate for Albania’s interests and help resolve political disputes among Albanian representatives at the conference. Despite the challenges, the Albanian representatives led by Delvina couldn’t alter the plans aimed at fragmenting Albania.

However, it was the Congress of Lushnja convened in January 1920 that ultimately rejected all the decisions made at the Peace Conference in Paris. During this historic gathering, Sulejman Delvina was elected as the head of the government, a respected patriot tasked with leading the nation.

At the time, the government effectively governed most of the country and sought international recognition, establishing diplomatic relations with foreign nations, with the condition that Albania’s territorial integrity was upheld.

Later on, Delvina played a crucial role in supporting the fight against separatist groups in 1920 and contributed to the successful conclusion of the Vlora war against Italian imperialist invaders.

At the age of 37, Sulejman Delvina served as the Minister of the Interior from July 11, 1921, to October 16, 1921, holding the position for three months and five days. He actively participated in the June 1924 revolution and, during Fan Noli’s government, was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, serving from June 16, 1924, to December 23, 1924. Following the failure of this revolution, Delvina left Albania and spent several years in Europe as a political exile.

In later years, the ailing statesman returned to Albania and passed away in Vlora in 1933. He was laid to rest in his hometown’s public cemetery, alongside his esteemed patriot brother, the former mayor of Delvina, Namik Delvina.

/m.ll/