The recent admission process for future officers in North Macedonia’s Ministry of Defense has opened a new chapter of debate regarding ethnic representation, transparency, and equality. The Ministry confirmed the acceptance of 16 candidates from the second group of applicants who completed the first cycle of studies and are now set to receive training to serve as officers in both the Ministry of Defense and the Army of North Macedonia (ARM). However, controversy erupted soon after documents surfaced showing that no Albanian names appeared in this specific group of 16 candidates, sparking strong reactions within the Albanian community both inside the country and in the broader Albanian-speaking region.
Although the official document did not list any Albanian candidates among the 16 selected, the Ministry of Defense insists that representation was not violated. According to their response, the evaluation was strictly based on merit, qualifications, and the parameters required for each service category.
The Ministry stated that two Albanian candidates and one Vlach candidate were selected overall as future officers in the broader intake. They further emphasized that for some service branches, no candidates had applied at all, which influenced the ethnic distribution. As a result, the Ministry claims to have respected all selection principles, insisting that the process was conducted fairly and without discrimination.
This controversy is particularly significant for the Albanian public, as the topic of representation has always been closely monitored in all state institutions. Albanians form a large percentage of North Macedonia’s population, and ensuring their fair access to state positions has been a long-standing issue, rooted in both political agreements and legal obligations.
The Complete Ranked List Shows Only One Albanian Among 45 Accepted Candidates
Documents obtained from the competition published in March reveal a more detailed picture. Out of a total of 45 accepted candidates, only one is Albanian—Jasir Ibraimi, who was admitted into the logistics (intendence) service branch. The remaining candidates, assessed across multiple criteria such as academic records, English language knowledge, physical preparation, and interview performance, show an overwhelming predominance of non-Albanian candidates.
This imbalance drew particular attention because it appears inconsistent with the Law on the Military Academy, specifically Article 21, which states:
“During the admission of candidates in the public competition from paragraph 1 of this article, the institution must maintain fair and adequate representation of community groups.”
The absence of a proportional representation in the final ranked list raises concerns that the law may not have been followed in practice, even if the Ministry insists otherwise. The law clearly requires institutions to monitor ethnic balance during admissions, not only during employment or training stages.
Political Context Complicates the Issue
Adding to the tension is the political vacuum at the top of the Ministry. The Ministry of Defense has been without a Deputy Minister for six months, following the dismissal of Elfete Ismaili. Her removal came after Arben Taravari ended the coalition with VLEN, creating instability in positions traditionally allocated to ethnic Albanian political parties. Despite recent government reshuffles within VLEN’s framework, the Deputy Minister post remains unfilled.
For many Albanians, this absence symbolizes the continued sidelining of their community in key defense and security institutions. When combined with a controversial admissions process, the political environment only amplifies perceptions of exclusion.
Why This Matters for Albanians in the Region
The question of fair representation in North Macedonia’s institutions has long been a topic of concern in Albania, Kosovo, and Albanian diaspora communities. Defense institutions hold particular strategic importance: they symbolize national loyalty, career stability, and access to high professional ranks. When Albanians are statistically underrepresented, it raises issues not only of fairness but also of long-term trust in state structures.
Furthermore, young Albanians who pursue military education often do so with strong motivation, community support, and a desire to serve. For this reason, the lack of representation in officer training programs is viewed by many as a missed opportunity to integrate equally into the state’s most sensitive institutions.
What Comes Next?
The Ministry has announced that new competitions will be opened for certain branches where no candidates had applied. They emphasize that all principles will continue to be respected “without exception.” For the Albanian-speaking public, the upcoming competitions will be a test of whether improved transparency and representation can be achieved.
Community leaders, journalists, civil society organizations, and Albanian families across North Macedonia and Albania will be watching closely. The expectation is clear: fair representation must not only be promised— it must be visible, measurable, and legally upheld.