Civil Society: KFOR should assume responsibility and ensure effective security oversight in Northern Kosovo

Civil society organizations have stated that today’s explanation regarding the “lost” unit of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) in North Mitrovica is unacceptable and causes serious concern among citizens, as it demonstrates, they say, a profound lack of institutional control and transparency in the field of security.

In a statement signed by the Center for Affirmative Social Action, Aktiv, the Center for Advocacy of Democratic Culture, the Institute for Territorial Economic Development, and the New Social Initiative, it is emphasized that this is not the first time that members of the KSF have entered northern Kosovo with explanations whose credibility is highly questionable.

“This further deepens the sense of insecurity among the local population and points to a systemic failure in the supervision and coordination of security structures, as well as to the continued politicization of security institutions,” the statement reads.

The organizations remind that, under the applicable provisions of the Brussels Agreement and the mandate defined by the United Nations Security Council, it is KFOR that bears the primary responsibility for overseeing and ensuring the security regime in northern Kosovo.

“Today’s incident clearly demonstrates that KFOR’s current operational capacity and model of presence are not adapted to the real security risks and on-the-ground dynamics. The absence of an adequate response and oversight by KFOR calls into question citizens’ trust in international security guarantees and creates additional tension in an already fragile security environment,” the statement adds.

For this reason, they call on KFOR to assume full responsibility for overseeing the implementation of security arrangements in northern Kosovo, to increase the physical and operational presence of its units in northern municipalities, and to establish clear preventive mechanisms to prevent any unauthorized activity by armed formations, including the KSF.

“Civil society in northern Kosovo expects KFOR to adopt a more decisive, responsible, and visible approach to its mandate, as stability and security cannot rest on ‘lost’ units, excuses, and their subsequent political misuse, but rather on trust, professionalism, and the consistent implementation of international obligations,” the statement concludes.