What is the solution for security in northern Kosovo?

Neither an increased presence of special police units on the streets of northern Kosovo nor a decreased sense of security among citizens. A telling statistic reveals that only 1% of Kosovo Serbs in North Mitrovica support the heightened presence of Kosovo Police in northern police bases. Experts interviewed by Kosovo Online suggest that the return of Serbs to the Kosovo Police is unlikely under the current government in Pristina. Although the permanent presence of KFOR in the north could address the escalating tensions, they point out that such a move would undermine the credibility of Kosovo's security institutions.

Written by: Dusica Radeka Djordjevic

Earlier this year, an alarming report showed that nearly 89% of respondents in northern Kosovo had experienced a security threat personally or within their families. A new survey shows that only 1% of Kosovo Serbs in North Mitrovica support the increased police presence in the north.

“How long will this continue?” – a question and plea echoed by residents of northern Kosovo.

Would the solution for security in the north be the return of Serbs to the Kosovo Police, permanent KFOR units, or Pristina's desired deployment of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF)?

Milica Andric Rakic, program manager at the NGO New Social Initiative, recalls that KFOR's presence in the north was the solution in 2021, when the de-escalation agreement after the September barricades required KFOR to take over positions previously occupied by Kosovo special police for two weeks.

“Dialogue actors, mediators, and KFOR are well aware that this is a way to de-escalate the situation. However, they likely concluded that it’s politically unwise as it undermines the credibility of Kosovo’s security institutions. But ignoring the reality that they are failing to build relationships with citizens and stabilize the situation won’t help either. A decision must ultimately be made between prioritizing Kosovo’s security institutions or the overall safety of all citizens in Kosovo,” Andric Rakic told Kosovo Online.

According to Dusko Celic, an assistant professor at the Law Faculty of the University of North Mitrovica, KFOR’s stationing in the north would be a temporary solution. He believes it is time to seriously consider redefining collective guarantees for Serbian rights.

“I believe the answer lies in some form of territorial autonomy combined with personal autonomy for Serbs. European comparative law offers examples, like Belgium’s approach to the German-speaking community, which combines territorial and cultural autonomy. Now is the time to seriously consider new mechanisms because the Kurti administration in Pristina has completely undermined the old ones through systematic violence and discriminatory practices against Serbs,” Celic emphasized.

Marko Savkovic, senior advisor at the ISAK Fund, argues that the return of Serbs to the Kosovo Police is necessary but seems impossible under current conditions.

“It is necessary because it is stipulated by the Brussels Agreement and was ultimately accepted by the Serbian community in Kosovo. Life was incomparably easier when representatives of the majority community were part of the police, according to prior agreements. However, I fear new attempts to change the reality on the ground for the majority community in this area,” Savkovic told Kosovo Online.

Andric Rakic points out that there are currently no conditions—political will or trust—for the return of Serbs to the Kosovo Police.

“This government doesn’t trust Serbian officers, whether new recruits or those who might potentially return. A new government might, as previous ones have shown the ability to establish basic trust with Serbs. This will largely depend on the outcome of the February 9 elections and the composition of the new government,” Andric Rakic explained.

Celic is equally skeptical, stating that it is unrealistic to expect Pristina to allow the return of hundreds of Serbian police officers, judges, and prosecutors to the north under the current circumstances.

“On the other hand, I fear that returning to the previous state wouldn’t provide sufficient institutional guarantees for Serbs. We’ve seen that Kurti can deploy long rifles in the north of Kosovo and Metohija at any moment, effectively establishing a para-police ethnic rule over Serbs,” Celic warned.

The only way to calm the situation in Kosovo, especially in the north, according to Andric Rakic, is through dialogue and collaboration with the local community, rebuilding institutions in partnership with Kosovo’s institutions and citizens. Any other approach will lead to further escalations.

However, she doubts there is enough understanding in Pristina for the need to change its approach.

“Especially given the response to recent attacks: sending more police into Serbian areas to aimlessly patrol the streets. There’s no strategy, and everything seems utterly chaotic. These are clear signs that they don’t think it’s time to change their approach,” she noted.

Considering that Pristina asked KFOR to allow the KSF to enter the north after the explosion that damaged the Ibar-Lepenac canal—an idea rejected by KFOR—our interlocutor doubts that the KSF’s presence in the north would enhance security.

“It’s not like they have greater capacity than the Kosovo Police, which, with all its resources, couldn’t prevent this sabotage—the worst event in Kosovo since the war. I don’t see how anyone can find value in such an approach,” she concluded.

Savkovic sees the solution for security in northern Kosovo in a quick political agreement that would satisfy both sides but acknowledges that such an agreement is unlikely.

“The latest events and the ongoing militarization of northern Kosovo over the past two years leave little room for dialogue. The measures we see are mostly repressive. The behavior of the police, especially special units, towards the local population is highly problematic and distances the local population from Pristina’s authorities. This pushes us further away from a compromise solution,” Savkovic observed.