Milosevic was a central figure in the Yugoslav conflict, considered the mastermind behind policies that triggered division and violence in the region.
Milosevic was born in 1941 in Pozarevac, Serbia, and joined the Communist Party at the age of 18. He rose through the political ranks, serving as an economic advisor, bank director, and member of the party’s central committee.
In 1986, he was elected as the chairman of the Communist Party of Serbia, and in 1989, he became the President of Serbia.
Milosevic was known as a hardline Serbian nationalist who sought to strengthen Serbia’s position in Yugoslavia by controlling the media, military, and politics.
He incited anti-Albanian sentiments in Kosovo by revoking the province’s autonomous status in 1989 and suppressing the Albanian population.
Milosevic also supported Serbian movements in Croatia and Bosnia by providing military, financial, and political assistance to Serbian rebels seeking to join Serbia.
He refused to recognize the independence of the seceding republics from Yugoslavia and insisted on maintaining the country’s unity by all means.
Milosevic also obstructed international peace efforts to end the conflict in Yugoslavia by refusing to sign agreements proposed by the UN, the European Union, or the United States.
He also ignored UN Security Council resolutions demanding the cessation of violence, respect for human rights, and cooperation with the ICTY.
Milosevic challenged NATO’s ultimatum to stop military operations in Kosovo, triggering NATO airstrikes against Yugoslavia in 1999.
