US-backed envoy to BiH loses privileges after Dodik's bills enforced

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Jul 2023 18:53

Washington considers these laws contentious because they believe they undermine the Dayton peace deal that ended Bosnia's 1992-1995 war.

Milorad Dodik, leader of the Union of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) party, the most influential political party in Bosnian-Serb dominated entity of Republika Srpska, addresses media, on October 27, 2022. (AFP)

Two bills that were signed by Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik on Friday entered into force on Sunday, sources report, noting that the move might spark anger on the US side as they involve bypassing or ignoring decisions made by a top international envoy to Bosnia.

Washington considers these laws contentious because they believe they undermine the Dayton peace deal that ended Bosnia's 1992-1995 war.

German diplomat Christian Schmidt, who is assigned as the country's top diplomat, is tasked with overseeing aspects of that deal and possesses enormous leverage in the executive branch of government, including the capacity to dismiss officials and enforce laws.

The second legislation involves suspending the Bosnian Serb entity's recognition of rulings made by Bosnia's constitutional court.

The two bills that were approved by lawmakers in June have officially entered into force and published in the official gazette Republika Srpska (RS).

The laws triggered critical reactions on the part of the US, France, and Germany.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday tweeted that Dodik's signing of a law rejecting the authority of the international High Representative "violates the Bosnia and Herzegovina constitution and undermines the Dayton Accords."

Republika Srpska President Dodik's signing of a law rejecting the High Representative's authority violates the Bosnia and Herzegovina constitution and undermines the Dayton Accords. The U.S. supports @OHR_BiH and its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multiethnic character.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 7, 2023

The signing of the bills comes just days after Schmidt attempted to annul the legislations by passing an executive order that deems them illegal, thus preventing their entry into force.

The ruling was effected a week ago when he also passed a legislation that would enable Bosnia's judiciary to prosecute politicians who oppose his orders and those of the constitutional court.

Ever since Schmidt's position lost the backing of the UN following an intervention by Russia and Beijing, Dodik has refused to recognize the envoy's authority.

The Bosnian Serb leader has repeatedly claimed that Schmidt is an "illegal" or "false" High Representative because he has not been approved by the UN Security Council.