Fri Feb 28 17:26:38 UTC 2025: ## Bosnia Faces Constitutional Crisis as Serb Region Defies Peace Agreement

**SARAJEVO** – Bosnia and Herzegovina is teetering on the brink of a constitutional crisis after the autonomous Serb Republic (Republika Srpska) passed legislation barring the national police and judiciary, defying the Dayton Peace Agreement. The move, seen as a blatant attempt to destabilize the country, has drawn sharp condemnation from international and domestic leaders.

International High Representative Christian Schmidt, tasked with overseeing the Dayton Accords that ended Bosnia’s 1992-95 war, demanded an immediate halt to all actions undermining the agreement and the country’s constitutional order. He accused the Republika Srpska’s ruling coalition of deliberately seeking to destabilize state institutions.

The legislation follows a state court ruling that banned Republika Srpska’s separatist leader Milorad Dodik from politics for six years and sentenced him to a year in prison for defying Schmidt’s authority. Dodik, a long-time advocate for secession and union with Serbia, openly endorsed the legislation, claiming it would create momentum for Republika Srpska’s goals without resorting to force. He aims to establish independent judiciary, police, and military structures within the region.

The move has been overwhelmingly supported within the Republika Srpska assembly, with 49 out of 52 deputies voting in favor. However, it has sparked outrage elsewhere. Bosnian Prime Minister Nermin Niksic suspended political cooperation with Republika Srpska until the legislation is revoked, and Bosnian presidency member Denis Becirovic called the actions an attack on the country’s constitutional order.

The Dayton Agreement divided Bosnia into two entities: a Muslim-Croat Federation and the Serb Republic. The current actions threaten to unravel this fragile peace, raising concerns of renewed inter-communal conflict in the war-torn nation. Schmidt’s ability to use his significant powers, including the removal of political leaders, will be crucial in determining the next steps to de-escalate the situation.

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