Kosovo
More than two decades after the end of the conflict in Kosovo and despite disarmament initiatives and amnesties for firearms, uncontrolled and illegal weapons and ammunition continue to proliferate throughout the territory, fuelling insecurity, armed violence, and organized crime. Mostly due to the widespread circulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), Kosovo registers important levels of firearm-related injuries and deaths, and inter-ethnic tensions sometimes degenerate into armed confrontations.
In terms of Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM), the government of Kosovo adopted a Strategy for Control and Collection of Small Arms in 2013 and is committed to tackling illicit trafficking of SALW, ammunition, and explosives in the country and the region. Kosovo also developed a legal framework on the control of SALW and aims to further enhance its WAM laws, policies, and capacities.
UNDP, the EU and the South-Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) support Kosovo to develop its WAM capacities, especially in terms of weapons and ammunition storage and disposal as well as in its fight against illicit SALW trafficking.
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs (Kosovo), “Small Arms, Light Weapons and Explosive Control Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2021, December 2016, https://www.seesac.org/f/docs/Kosovo-1/Small-Arms-Light-Weapons-and-Explosive-Control-Strategy-and-Action-Plan-2017---2.pdf; SEESAC, “Kosovo destroys over 2382 SALW to mark the International Gun Destruction Day”, 07.07.16, https://www.seesac.org/News-SALW/Kosovo-destroys-over-2382-SALW-to-mark-the-International-Gun-Destruction-Day_1/; SEESAC, “SALW Survey of Kosovo”, 24.08.06, https://www.seesac.org/f/docs/SALW-Surveys/SALW-Survey-of-Kosovo-EN.pdf; UNDP, “Professional equipment handed over to Kosovo Police for combatting illicit arms trafficking and improving control of small arms and light weapons”, 10.06.22, https://www.undp.org/kosovo/press-releases/professional-equipment-handed-over-kosovo-police-combatting-illicit-arms-trafficking-and-improving-control-small-arms-and-light.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the beginning of data collection in 1979 by the Small Arms Survey, no accidental explosions have been reported in Kosovo.
Cases of diversion
Insufficient information on cases of diversion in Kosovo.
Disposal
Destruction, use, or export of ammunition as an indicator of a state’s ability to identify and decrease aging, unsafe, or surplus ammunition.
Insufficient information on the disposal of ammunition in Kosovo.
Needs
Further requirements for an effective through-life management of ammunition in the country.
No needs have been reported for Kosovo.
