The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

Mission Mandate

In June 1999, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1244 to establish the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). This mission was enacted to help establish government, facilitate the development of democratic institutions, coordinate humanitarian relief, and assist with the political process in Kosovo.

In August 2008, the UN mission transferred its authority to the government of Kosovo and to the European Union entity, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). As a result of the transfer, the UN mission maintains a supportive, rather than directive, role observing and guiding the government and EULEX.

The Mission's mandate includes:

• Demilitarizing armed groups;
• Providing security for the return of the displaced and refugees;
• Monitoring  the border;
• Facilitating the political process;
• Building government capacity; and
• Establishing government institutions.

Background

In 1989, Kosovo, a semi-autonomous province of Yugoslavia mostly made up of ethnic Albanians, was stripped of its autonomy by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

In response, the ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army attacked Serb targets, which led to a violent crackdown by the Serbian army and the persecution of Kosovar Albanians, killing more than 1,500 and forcing 400,000 more from their homes. Read more || Hide text

How This Affects American Interests

• Secures a peaceful and stable Kosovo. UNMIK works with NATO forces to maintain stability in the region. Contributing to this effort, the United States has approximately 783 troops on the ground. UNMIK's substantial strides in fulfilling its mission over the last ten years have established peace and security such that Kosovo is now self-governing.  Thanks to this success the UN has begun decreasing its personnel. NATO’s Kosovo Forces (KFOR) maintains approximately 6,240 troops in the region. The United States seeks a stable, democratic, and economically viable Kosovo. Since 1999, the United States has contributed over $1.2 billion to Kosovo's development.
  
  
• Supports the Kosovo Police Service. UNMIK has worked with the United States to provide the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) with training and guidance. In 2010 the U.S. provided $2.5 million in Foreign Military Financing and $700,000 in International Military Education Training (IMET) funding.  This funding supports the Kosovo Police Service. The UN and U.S. investment has helped the police service become a highly respected and trusted institution. KPS now commands all 33 police stations, six Regional Police Headquarters, and 13 border control stations throughout the country. 

• Prosecutes serious crimes. The UNMIK Department of Justice (DOJ) division has improved the process for prosecuting serious crimes, including cases of corruption, terrorism, and war crimes. As local capacity improves, the UN has begun shifting responsibilities to local institutions. It is also working with the Kosovo Special Prosecutors Office to enable local prosecutors to take on more serious cases in the future. Since commencing operations in December 2008, EULEX has prioritized cases handed over by UNMIK. In Mitrovica, local staff continues work to establish an inventory of 30,000 prosecution files necessary for the government to address past human rights violations.

• Promotes economic development. UNMIK is actively engaged in the promotion of economic development and stability, in close cooperation with the United Nations Kosovo team and other partners on the ground. In 2006, UNMIK signed its accession to the Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) on Kosovo’s behalf. The US believes that Kosovo could be a valuable trading partner, having exported over $11 million worth of goods and services to Kosovo in 2010.

Ongoing Challenges

• Divided communities. While progress has been made, divisions between Albanians and Serbs continue. Serb defiance is rooted in the north, where Kosovo’s courts, police, and customs authorities do not operate. Further, Kosovo Serbs are reluctant to cooperate with Kosovar institutions and the European Union. Additionally, there are inadequate safeguards in Kosovo’s central and municipal governments for human rights protection to minority communities are woefully inadequate. Also, an estimated number of 1,809 persons are still missing, undermining the dialogue and reconciliation process between the communities. UNMIK, in cooperation with the European Union, continues to promote a constructive and positive dialogue between the communities and link leaders in northern Kosovo with the Pristina authorities. The dialogue brings together the divided communities to address unresolved issues and consolidate peace, stability and reconciliation in the region. Northern Kosovo continues to present social and political challenges. Relations between the ethnic factions remain tense and are managed by special police units.

• Unprepared for returnees. It is estimated that more than 200,000 people remain displaced from Kosovo.  Many fear that poor economic conditions and weak institutions will lead to continued instability. Additionally, minority groups (Serbs and others) do not believe the government and the international community can protect them should they return to their communities. UNMIK continues to work with the European Union and the government to help families return to Kosovo, in 2011 having brought home 492 displaced persons since January.

• Fraudulent elections. In March 2011, allegations of election fraud were resolved and an agreement was reached that put forward a consensus presidential candidate.  The candidate, Atifete Jahjaga, was duly elected.  A compromise on election reform was also adopted at this time. However, due to divisions among ethnic and political parties, domestic political turmoil remains 

*Last Updated December 2011