For more than three decades, the Albanian American Civic League (AACL), under the leadership of Joe DioGuardi and Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi—longtime advocates for the human and national rights of the Albanian people—has remained steadfast in its mission to promote democracy, defend human rights, and advance the interests of Albanians wherever they live.
The AACL firmly stands with leaders and public officials who uphold Albanian national interests and oppose those whose actions undermine them. Throughout our history, we have consistently defended the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the right of citizens to shape the future of their country through peaceful and democratic means.
The Civic League is closely following the ongoing peaceful and patriotic demonstrations taking place throughout Albania, where citizens are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama while demanding greater government accountability, transparency, and democratic reform. These protests are not directed against legitimate American or other foreign investments.
Based on numerous credible reports, during the past twelve years the government of Prime Minister Rama has operated a corrupt and non-transparent system that has used the country’s resources to benefit only certain domestic and international oligarchs. At the same time, large numbers of Albania’s young people have been forced to leave the country in search of better opportunities. Furthermore, the government has failed to defend and advance Albania’s national interests in the region, subordinating elements of its foreign policy to the interests of the Serbian hegemonic regime led by Aleksandar Vučić.
For more than a month, the youth and the majority of the people of Albania have made it clear that Albania is not for sale. They have lost confidence in the current government and no longer believe that the same officials responsible for the present situation are capable of delivering meaningful reform. They are calling for the establishment of a temporary technical government composed of respected, nonpartisan professionals to lead the country and prepare it for extraordinary elections within one year.
We likewise call on all parties to reject violence and extremism in every form so that this movement remains what it has been from the beginning: a peaceful and democratic expression of the people’s will. We also strongly urge the organizers of these protests to reject and immediately remove any individuals or groups pursuing foreign or extremist agendas who may attempt to exploit the situation for their own purposes.
Finally, the Albanian American Civic League calls on the international community to recognize the legitimate concerns of the people of Albania and to support their right to protest peacefully and seek democratic change through lawful and nonviolent means.
The Executive Board of the Albanian American Civic League