Xhemal Gjunkshi

Xhemal Gjunkshi (born 30 January 1963) is a former Albanian military officer. Since 2017 he started his career as politician and began Member of Parliament (MP) for Dibër. From August 2011 to November 2013, he served as Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces. He was elected as deputy of Democratic Party in June 2017 general election.[1]

Xhemal Gjunkshi

MP
Member of the Albanian Parliament
for Dibër
Assumed office
September 9, 2017 (2017-09-09)
Prime MinisterEdi Rama
Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces
In office
August 8, 2011 (2011-08-08) – September 7, 2013 (2013-09-07)
PresidentBamir Topi
Bujar Nishani
Prime MinisterSali Berisha
Preceded byMaksim Malaj
Succeeded byJeronim Bazo
Personal details
Born (1963-01-30) 30 January 1963
Peshkopi, Dibër
NationalityAlbanian
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materAlbanian Military Academy
OccupationMilitary officer
Deputy
Military service
Allegiance PSR Albania
 Albania
Branch/service Albanian General Staff
Rank       Major General
CommandsCommando Regiment
Support Command
Logistics Brigade

Early life

Gjunkshi was born in Peshkopi, Dibër, People's Republic of Albania on 30 January 1963. He began his military studies at the “Skenderbej” Military High School in 1978, two years after the transition of Albania from the "People's Republic" to the "People's Socialist Republic." Gjunkshi graduated from the school in 1985.[2]

Military career

Gjunkshi began his military career commanding at a platoon and later company level. Gjunkshi was promoted to captain in 1992 and major in 1993. He was later appointed battalion commander in Peshkopi. In 1998, Gjunkshi graduated from a military academy in Turkey.[2][3]

From 1998 to 2004, Gjunkshi served in multiple varying roles in the General Staff and the Ministry of Defence. In 1999, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. From 2004 to 2007, he served as Albania's military attaché to Turkey. In 2005, he was promoted to colonel. In 2007, Gjunkshi was appointed commander of the Commando Regiment, an elite unit of the Albanian Armed Forces.[2][3]

In October 2008, a group of soldiers in the Commando Regiment sent a letter to the government of Albania and the United States Embassy in Tirana reporting corruption within the regiment. The letter alleged that Gjunkshi demanded bribes in exchange for assignments to serve in the International Security Assistance Force or Multi-National Force – Iraq. The alleged bribe values equalled half of the additional pay soldiers would receive as part of their assignments.[4]

In 2009, Gjunkshi was appointed commander of the Support Command and later promoted to brigadier general. In December 2009, commander of the Logistic Brigade.[2][3][5]

On 8 August 2011, by decree of President Bamir Topi, Gjunkshi was appointed Chief of the Albanian General Staff. On 10 November 2011, Gjunkshi was promoted to major general by Presidential Decree No. 7156.[2][3]

On 7 November 2013, Gjunkshi was released from his position by Presidential Decree No. 8370.[6]

Personal life

During his career, Gjunkshi has received numerous awards and decorations. In 2008, Gjunkshi was named an “Ambassador for Peace” by the Universal Peace Federation. In November 2012, Gjunkshi was awarded the International Prize for Peace“Bonifacio VIII” by the Academy Bonificiana, in the town of Anagni, Italy.[3]

He is married and has a son and a daughter.[3]

Timeline of Ranks
Insignia Rank Date
              Captain1992
              Major1993
              Lieutenant Colonel1999
              Colonel2005
              Brigadier General2009
              Major General10 November 2011

See also

Sources
  1. "List of MPs by counties" (PDF). Parliament of Albania.
  2. "Former CHODs". Albanian Armed Forces. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  3. "Major General Xhemal Gjunkshi". NATO. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  4. Withers, John L. (15 November 2008). "Albania: Corruption Continues in Staffing AAF Deployments". WikiLeaks. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  5. "[OS] MIL/ALBANIA - Albanian premier asks president to replace army chief". Albanian Telegraphic Agency. BBC Monitoring. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2016 – via WikiLeaks.
  6. "Presidenti Nishani dekreton lirimin nga detyra të Shefit të Shtabit të Përgjithshëm të Forcave të Armatosura të Republikës së Shqipërisë, Gjeneral Major Xhemal Gjunkshi" [President Nishani decrees the dismissal of the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania, Major General Xhemal Gjunkshi] (in Albanian). President of Albania. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
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