As the biggest political crisis in post-Dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina reaches its peak—and as the, for Republika Srpska, unconstitutional Prosecutor’s Office of BiH launches an open confrontation with Srpska’s top officials—political Sarajevo is turning to its well-known strategy: increasingly calling on the international community, and even NATO, to intervene in internal political affairs by taking their side.
However, this time, the response is far from unanimous.
While some, as expected, condemn the actions of Republika Srpska’s institutions, others insist that the issues should be resolved by domestic institutions. Meanwhile, an increasing number of voices are openly stating that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) is outdated and has become the greatest source of instability in BiH—aligning with Srpska’s stance.
Can Republika Srpska take advantage of this geopolitical moment?
The shifting global perspective on the role of OHR and its imposed decisions presents Republika Srpska with an opportunity to strengthen its position. As more international actors acknowledge that Schmidt’s unilateral interventions have only deepened the crisis, the possibility of advocating for a more balanced and realistic approach to BiH’s internal affairs grows.
While political Sarajevo pushes for foreign involvement, Republika Srpska may find increasing support for its argument that BiH’s stability depends on respecting the Dayton Agreement and fostering dialogue among domestic actors. The question remains—can Srpska effectively leverage this geopolitical momentum to reshape the international narrative and secure a stronger position in future negotiations?
Source: RTRS
