North Macedonia marks 25 years since Ohrid peace agreement

A quarter of a century after the Ohrid Framework Agreement formally ended the 2001 insurgency in North Macedonia, experts caution that the peace between the country’s ethnic Macedonian and Albanian communities remains precarious. The agreement, signed in 2001, established power‑sharing mechanisms, increased minority representation, and restructured security forces to prevent a repeat of the conflict that had left 52 civilians dead and thousands displaced.

Despite institutional reforms, analysts point to ongoing tensions in several regions, sporadic incidents of inter‑ethnic violence, and political polarization over language and citizenship rights. Recent protests in the western part of the country and disputes over the status of the Albanian‑majority municipality of Tetovo illustrate that the social fabric is still fragile. The government’s efforts to implement the agreement’s provisions have been uneven, and the European Union’s monitoring mission has highlighted gaps in the enforcement of minority protections.

The situation underscores the need for sustained dialogue and continued international oversight. While the Ohrid Framework Agreement laid the groundwork for coexistence, the persistence of grievances and uneven implementation of its guarantees suggest that the path to lasting stability remains incomplete.