Residents of Nivica and Shën Vasil, landowners claiming property rights in Kakome, members of the Albanian diaspora, and citizens from various parts of the country gathered this Sunday in Kakome to demand unrestricted access to one of the most sought-after coastal areas in southern Albania.
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| Residents and supporters gathered in Kakome to demand unrestricted public access to the coastal area, tearing down fencing that had long restricted entry. |
During the demonstration, protesters tore down sections of fencing that, according to local residents, had isolated the area for approximately 22 years and prevented access to both private lands and the beach. Demonstrators argued that generations of local families had been unable to freely enter territory they consider historically connected to their communities.
Two days before the announced protest, the large metal gate that had blocked access to the area was also removed. Residents welcomed the development as a significant step toward reopening the bay to the public after years of restrictions.
The dispute surrounding Kakome has been the subject of controversy for decades. According to reports, the company Riviera, owned by businessman Luan Leka, has controlled the property for around 18 years after obtaining a 99-year lease from the Albanian state through a process that has frequently been challenged and debated by local residents and critics.
Protesters insist that the issue goes beyond a single property dispute. Many participants argued that Kakome has become a symbol of wider concerns regarding public access to Albania's coastline, property rights, and the management of strategic tourism assets. Several speakers emphasized that citizens should not be prevented from accessing beaches and lands that they believe belong to local communities and the Albanian public.
Meanwhile, reports circulating locally indicate that the Municipality of Himara may have intervened to remove the metal gate and fencing at the entrance to Kakome Bay. However, this information has not yet been officially confirmed by municipal authorities.
The events in Kakome unfold against the backdrop of growing public dissatisfaction across Albania, where thousands of citizens have been participating in protests demanding political change and greater accountability from institutions. For many of those gathered at the bay, Sunday's action represented not only a local dispute over land and access but also part of a broader movement seeking to challenge decisions perceived as unfair or imposed without the consent of local communities.
As tensions continue and questions surrounding ownership, access, and development remain unresolved, Kakome is once again emerging as one of the most closely watched coastal disputes in Albania.