ASh: Serbia promotes Chetnik Voivode – VALEN don’t even know what’s happening!
Express newspaper
09/09/2025 11:31
In North Macedonia, an unacceptable and provocative act took place for the citizens of our country, especially for Albanians. A Serbian state delegation, with state protocol, placed a memorial plaque for the Serbian army lieutenant colonel and Chetnik voivode Voin Popović – known as Vojvoda Vuk, who in 1916 had participated in the occupation of our territories.
The ceremony was accompanied by the singing of the Serbian anthem, the participation of ministers of the Serbian Government, representatives of the Serbian army and clergy, and the laying of wreaths.
This act is more than a historical commemoration: it is an open message from Serbia that monuments to its military and Chetnik figures can be erected in North Macedonia, without considering the feelings of the local population, especially Albanians, who have been victims of these hegemonic policies.
Who was Vojvoda Vuk?
Voin Popović (1881–1916), a Serbian army lieutenant colonel and Chetnik voivode, participated in the fighting for Macedonia during the Balkan Wars and World War I, as commander of the Volunteer Detachment on the Salonika Front. He was one of the leading figures in Serbian military expansionism, including the occupation of Albanian territories in Kosovo and North Macedonia.
The Alliance for Albanians strongly condemns this scandalous and chauvinistic act, which constitutes a direct provocation against Albanians and Macedonians, touching the feelings of the citizens of the country. The Mickoski government, by remaining silent and allowing such activities, shows not only weakness, but also tacit cooperation with the project of the “Serbian World”, while VALEN is powerless to prevent it.
We demand immediate institutional response, as well as an explanation from the government as to why this shameful act was allowed on the territory of North Macedonia.
North Macedonia is not a field for Serbian expansionism, nor will it allow the rehabilitation of Chetnik figures who represent violence, occupation, and oppression of Albanians, but also of Macedonians themselves.
Alliance for Albanians