Sulejman Vokshi, born on February 20, 1915, is among the most prominent personalities of the Albanian League of Prizren (1878). He was born in Gjakovë in a family with national traditions, participating in the anti-Ottoman uprisings against the Tanzimat reforms. He started his patriotic activity since a young man in the 40s the XIX century, participating arms in hand against the Tanzimat reforms and therefore the Ottoman government exiled and imprisoned him many times.

The foundation of the Albanian League of Prizren in 1878, found Sulejman Vokshi prepared in all directions as an outstanding popular fighter and leader with clear political concepts. He was one of the initiators of League’s establishment and during the activity of the League was one of the main political and military leaders, a member of the Central Committee and a consistent representative of its revolutionary wing. He stood not only at the forefront of the war for the protection of the entirety of the Albanian lands, but also of the war for the realization by force of arms of the autonomy of the entire Albanian lands as the first step to independence.

The temporary government of the Albanian League formed in Prizren charged him with the duty of the military leader of the armed forces of its national army. He was also the chairman of the revenue and finance commission. He was the leader of the Branch of the League for Gjakova and one of the organizers of the events in Gjakova that led to the assassination of the Ottoman marshal Magar Mehmet Ali Pasha.

As a member of the military headquarters of the League, Sulejman Vokshi was one of the leaders of the Albanian fighters in the battles for the defense of Plava and Gucia, which led to the defeat of the Montenegrin forces. With the declaration of autonomy and the establishment of the Second Government of the League, he was alongside Abdyl Frashëri, Ymer Prizreni and others, at the head of this government as the commander of the defense forces.

The forces of the League under his command within a very short time extended the popular administrative and military power of the League in Shkup/Skopje, Prishtina, Mitrovica, Luma, Gucia, Vushtri, Presheva, etc. Under his leadership as chief of staff of the Albanian forces and with his direct participation, took place the heroic struggle for the defense of the League in Shtimje and Slivova against the Ottoman forces of Dervish Pasha.

He continued the resistance against the Ottomans even after the breakup of the Albanian League and the dissolution of its government until 1885. In this year, he even organized another uprising against the Ottomans that broke out in Kosova.

He was caught treacherously. The Ottoman government considered him one of the most dangerous leaders of the League. Therefore, the extraordinary court of Prizren sentenced him to death. But due to the pressure of the Albanian National Movement, they were forced to release him after his imprisonment.

Sulejman Vokshi ranks among the leaders and consistent fighters of the Albanian people in the struggle for the realization and securing of its national and state unity. His personality is also immortalized by historical folk songs of the period. He passed away in Gjakova in 1890.

/a.p./