Bujar Bukoshi, a prominent Kosovo independence leader and former head of a self-declared government-in-exile, passed away early Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 78 years old.
Bukoshi died in Germany, where he had been undergoing cancer treatment and was receiving financial assistance from the Albanian government, according to his family.
Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of “a visionary physician and a statesman of unparalleled dedication.” She praised Bukoshi’s role as the former Prime Minister in Exile and his enduring contributions to the cause of a free and independent Kosovo during some of the most challenging periods for its people.
A respected surgeon and physician, Bukoshi co-founded the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) in 1989 alongside Ibrahim Rugova, who later became Kosovo’s president.
After completing his medical degree at Belgrade’s Medical School University, Bukoshi went into exile. There, he worked to raise funds to support parallel governing bodies that peacefully resisted the repressive rule of the late Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic in Kosovo, which was then a Serbian province.
From 1991 to 1999, Bukoshi served as prime minister of Kosovo’s government-in-exile, leading during the tumultuous period that culminated in the 1998-1999 conflict which resulted in approximately 11,400 deaths. A 78-day NATO bombing campaign eventually halted Serbian forces’ crackdown on ethnic Albanians and pushed them out of Kosovo.
Bukoshi also led an ethnic Albanian militia seen as a rival to the more militant Kosovo Liberation Army.
The shadow government he led was never officially recognized by Belgrade and was formally disbanded in 2000.
Following the war, Bukoshi took on several roles within Kosovo’s government, including deputy prime minister, health minister, and member of parliament.
Lumir Abdixhiku, the current leader of the LDK, described Bukoshi’s life and work as a testament to unwavering patriotism and steadfast dedication to Kosovo’s freedom and independence. Abdixhiku emphasized that Bukoshi’s contributions during Kosovo’s most difficult times will always be remembered and valued.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a status recognized by most Western countries, although Serbia and its allies Russia and China do not acknowledge its sovereignty.
Bukoshi was born in Suhareke, about 60 kilometers north of Kosovo’s capital, Pristina. He is survived by his wife Zana, three daughters, and two nephews.
