Do Macedonian Albanians Want to Unite with Albania?

Why would Macedonian Albanians want to become a province of Albania when they can have all of Macedonia? Joking aside: Naaahh! Too late for that.

Pros of Uniting with Albania

The idea of unification with Albania may seem appealing to some Macedonian Albanians due to several compelling reasons:

Preservation of Culture and Unity

We have nothing to lose. Albanians can preserve their unique culture and not be alienated from other Albanians. A good example of this happening to a people are our Slavic neighbors: Serbs, Montenegrins, Bosniaks, Croats, and Bosniaks, as well as Bulgarians and Slav Macedonians. It's hard to imagine Albanians who speak the same language fighting each other over religion or other differences. When separate for long enough, people become different from each other and may start to fight over those differences.

Independence and Autonomy

Albanians from Macedonia are not prone to influences from other countries. They are not at the mercy of others’ decisions regarding how they are treated. This is similar to the situation of the Jews, who are one of the oldest civilizations, but are often treated as strangers in their own lands. With unification, Albanians will not need to bear arms for simple rights minorities should have.

Historical Reclamation

During the period from 2001 to 2003, the Albanian flag was banned from public display, and the Albanian language was repressed in public institutions. Police and military personnel frequently profiled and maltreated Albanians. Such historical events have caused Macedonian Albanians to demand greater political rights. These included making amendments to the constitution to declare the Albanians as a second titular nation of the country, recognizing Albanian as a second official language, and providing state support for the underground Albanian-language university in Tetovo.

Macedonians will finally conduct a population census, which they have long feared, and will not be the only countries in the world who have not conducted one, aside from Somalia. Our money won't be used to build statues that don't belong there or statues of people who have killed Albanians.

Historical Connections

For Macedonians, we won't have to feel as if we don't belong, especially with Illyrian helmets, shields, and spears hanging around museums. It wouldn't be the case if we were to unite. Moreover, Macedonians won't have to worry about us taking over the entire country, and they won't have to use our language as an official language.

Cons of Uniting with Albania

The risks of unification with Albania also include potential regional instability and geopolitical tensions. One of the significant concerns is the potential for a new conflict similar to the one in Syria, with great powers backing different groups and no end in sight. The 2001 Insurgency in Macedonia was a stark reminder of these risks. It resulted in a widespread conflict that led to significant political unrest and humanitarian challenges.

2001 Insurgency in Macedonia

The 2001 Insurgency in Macedonia was a violent conflict that erupted between the government and ethnic Albanian rebels. The rebels sought greater autonomy, and the conflict resulted in numerous casualties and displacements. The aftermath included the Ohrid Agreement, which aimed to address the grievances of the Albanian minority and ensure greater protection of their rights. However, the scars of this conflict still linger in the region and could resurface in the case of unification.

While the idea of unification may offer certain advantages, the potential risks cannot be overlooked. It's essential to consider the historical and socio-political context before making such a decision.