Gospels of (Re)conciliation in North Macedonia: Skating on the Thin Ice of Albanian-Macedonian Inter-Ethnic Dialogue

Abstract

Similarly to the entire Western Balkans, North Macedonia represents a post-conflict environment; an environment, however, characterized by a rather non-intuitive conflict understanding where conflict develops at the inter-ethnic intra-state level. Mutual antagonism and centrifugal tendencies in relations between Albanians and Macedonians are being materialized through various forms of conflict, ranging from verbal violence and symbolized insults, to inter-personal violence, domestic terrorism, and longitudinal insurgency bordering on civil war. This article analyzes occurrences of inter-ethnic antagonism between Albanians and Macedonians on the intra-state level and assesses them within the framework of reconciliation as a means to build societal resilience and strengthen national security. The article concludes that despite certain progress in conciliation of antagonist ethnic groups, local peace, stability, and resilience in North Macedonia are still fragile and need to be addressed comprehensively through a whole-of-a-society approach.