Hello, Kosovo « Developments in Kosovo

Hello, Kosovo

On 17 February 2008, the Serbian-controlled territory of Kosovo formally declared its independence from Serbia in the Kosovar Assembly. Previously, Kosovo had been administered as an Autonomous Province by the United Nations, who stepped in after the disastrous 1999 Kosovo War, which saw Serbs and Kosovars kill nearly 10,000 people.

Serbia immediately closed its borders and refused to accept Kosovar independence, claiming Kosovo as a vital part of the Serbian homeland and vowing never to allow the breakaway province its freedom. Subsequently, the Serbian government soon collapsed, as tensions over how to address the Kosovar crisis left the cabinet in a deadlock.

The quick secession of Kosovo met a varied international response. The US quickly recognized the new nation-state, as President Bush hailed its “embrace of multi-ethnicity“ and trusted it would bring good governance. European states also quickly recognised an independent Kosovo, while critics worried it would further alienate Serbia and drive it into Russia’s sphere of influence.

As expected, Russia stood by its ally, Serbia, and refused to acknowledge Kosovo as an independent country, saying that Kosovo had “opened a Pandora’s box” by unilaterally declaring independence. Russia is concerned that this act will encourage other separatists in the area – Abkhazians in Georgia, Dagestanis in southern Russia, and Chechens – to follow Kosovo’s lead.

Serbia is now concerned over a significant Serbian population in the northern town of Mitrovica, which has Violence in Mitrovica - Courtesy of RFERL been the location of a few riots and violent protests since the 17 February declaration. At one point, the Serbs of Mitrovica even invaded the new Kosovo Court (formerly a court of Serbia) and demanded a return to Serbian control. Events like these have raised concerns of Kosovo’s ability to protect all its citizens, not just the ethnic Albanians who comprise 90% of the Kosovar population.