The 36th session of the Municipal Assembly of North Mitrovica, held today, saw the adoption of a proposal by Assembly President Nedžad Ugljanin to annul a 2018 decision that renamed „Nemanjina“ Street to „Oliver Ivanović“ Street and „Kolašinska“ Street to „Mitrovica Victims“ Street. Ugljanin justified the decision, stating that the original renaming process was not conducted in accordance with legal procedures.
Since the 2018 decision to rename the streets, the political landscape in North Mitrovica has shifted significantly. What has remained consistent, however, is the controversy surrounding street naming. The initial renaming, implemented under the administration of the Serbian List, ignored calls to name „Sutjeska“ Street—where Ivanović was assassinated—after him. Instead, Ivanović’s name was assigned to a lesser-known street with a promise of improvements.
Now, under the leadership of Self-Determination representatives, the renaming has been reversed. The assembly president framed the decision as a step toward reportedly addressing the sentiment of all communities, taking note of the Albanian victims in the area.
A Contentious Debate on Street Naming
The session was closed to media, though journalists attended thanks to tips from citizens. The five-point agenda included routine items like the approval of previous meeting minutes and unresolved executive decisions. However, the debate over annulling the street renaming dominated discussions.
“The decision to rename the streets was not made in accordance with the law. It is our duty to annul it and revisit the matter while adhering to legal procedures,” Ugljanin stated.
Ugljanin emphasized that his objection was procedural rather than personal, suggesting that Ivanović’s name could still be used for another street after a petition and proper deliberation.
Serbian community representative Dušan Milunović countered, asserting that the original renaming was based on a petition signed by 1,800 citizens. He proposed that Ivanović’s name be assigned to „Sutjeska“ Street, in alignment with the original petition and to honor the site of his assassination.
“No one disputes that Mr. Ivanović deserves a street named after him. However, this process must be transparent and respectful of the majority’s wishes,” Milunović said.
Acknowledging All Communities
Ugljanin also highlighted the need to consider the sentiments of all residents. Referring to Albanian victims in the area, he argued that it would be inappropriate for the street housing the municipal offices to bear Ivanović’s name.
“Perhaps some might find it offensive. The municipality should ensure solutions that respect all citizens,” he said.
After extended debate, the annulment passed with ten votes in favor, two against, and one abstention.
The Legacy of Oliver Ivanović
Ivanović, a prominent Serbian leader known for advocating dialogue and pragmatic politics, was assassinated on January 16, 2018, outside his party office in North Mitrovica. Despite his contributions to mitigating ethnic tensions in the region, his death remains shrouded in controversy. The perpetrators and masterminds behind his murder have not been fully brought to justice, leaving his family and supporters dissatisfied.
The 2018 street renaming decision, marred by political posturing and insufficient community consultation, mirrored the tensions surrounding his life and death.
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