Macedonia: 221 KSF members left in 2023

Defence Minister Ejup Macedonia said 129 KSF members have suspended military service during 2023.

Macedonia said during the report to the parliamentary Security Commission, 2021 members have left the KSF last year.

“As far as exits are concerned, during the total of 2023 221 members of the Kosovo Security Force, including active members, reserve and civil servants, have left. This includes regular retirement, 59 members. Unregarded retirement: two civilians, retirement after reaching age: 14 members, voluntary service cuts have had 129 members, voluntary reserve service disruptions: 4, voluntary service cuts, a civilian, dismissal of the service has been one, lost the status of KSF member 2 members and leaving the board, we have had 7 and two members...”, Macedonia said.

Commission Chairman Beka Berisha interrupted. We stop those who left. That they're not pensioners but they've let it go”

“Arsyet are different, starting with well-being -- from the salary aspect -- to the opportunities offered outside the institution”, the minister said, responding.

This is not just our trend, it's global trends. All the armies are currently facing staff maintenance, and the fact that under the army, both officers and soldiers, they develop special skills, they receive special training that often enables them to be subjected to hunting by various companies outside the institution, including state institutions”, Macedonia said.

The minister said there has been “and movement in the Kosovo Police from the Kosovo Security Force”.

The “not always because of the well-being, often because of the opportunities their profession is offering them even in other” structures, he said.

“I am still seeing this issue of personnel maintenance as a concern, and it will be disturbing for years to come”, Macedonia said.