Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Balkan region may disintegrate, warn international representatives

Sarajevo: – International representatives have warned that ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina’ in Europe’s Balkan region are facing the danger of disintegration. In the last few days, Milorad Dodic, one of the country’s three presidents, has initiated moves to declare the province of Republika Srpska an independent state. European officials and analysts fear that war will break out again in the Balkans if these efforts succeed.

In the last decade of the 20th century, the European Republic of Yugoslavia disintegrated. Seven countries were formed out of the conflict that erupted after this disintegration. These include Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo. Of these, Kosovo has not yet been recognized by all countries at the international level. Although Bosnia and Herzegovina are independent nations, all three provinces in them have been granted autonomy. Only the army, the judiciary and the tax system are under the jurisdiction of the central government.

Since independence, ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina’ has been embroiled in ethnic tensions between Bosnians, Serbs and Croats. In the last few years, groups of Serbian descent have become more aggressive. President Milorad Dodik, who represents them, has begun efforts to declare the province of Republika Srpska as an independent country. For this, a separate mechanism has been set up in the health sector and some decisions related to the judiciary have also been denied approval.

At the same time, plans are afoot to establish a separate force of the Serbian people from the ‘Bosnian and Herzegovina’ army, as well police department, which forms a part of the internal security apparatus. Dodik has refused to recognise the international representatives appointed by the European Union for the country. Accusations are being made that Europe and the United States have adopted a very docile stand in this matter.

Russia and Serbia are believed to be behind Dodik’s move. Russia is opposed to the expansion of the European Union and NATO in Europe. Analysts claim that as part of this opposition, Russia is encouraging ethnic groups in the Balkans. It is also being blamed that the European Union’s apathy is infusing strength into the Russian policy. The Balkan countries have been trying to gain membership in the Union for the past several years. But there is a sense of resentment in these countries, as they have not received a proper response from the Union. Analysts point out that this is turning out to be beneficial for Russia.

Against this backdrop, Christian Schmidt, appointed as the international representative, has warned about the disintegration of ‘Bosnia and Herzegovina’. Schmidt also warned that war could break out again in the region if the international community did not act promptly. Moreover, the process of disintegration would gain further momentum.