Bojana Kondić Panić, ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina in France, speaks for Srpska365.net about the announced lawsuit, double standards, and what it means to represent all peoples of BiH.
After appearing on a French TV show and voicing views that stirred controversy, ambassador Bojana Kondić Panić faces public backlash and even threats. In this exclusive interview with Srpska365.net, she talks about truth, identity, and the right to represent BiH as someone from Republika Srpska.
Srpska365.net: A lawsuit has been announced by the Bosniak diaspora in France, which sees itself as the exclusive representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina. How do you view this need to monopolize the truth?
Bojana Kondić Panić:
It is certainly concerning when certain groups, such as the Bosniak diaspora in France, see themselves as the only legitimate representatives of the truth about Bosnia and Herzegovina. BiH is a complex state with three constituent peoples and multiple historical and political perspectives, and any insistence on monopolizing the truth diminishes our ability to engage in genuine dialogue and reconciliation.
Srpska365.net: Is it, in the eyes of some, acceptable to be an ambassador of BiH only if you’re not from Republika Srpska?
Bojana Kondić Panić:
Being an ambassador of BiH naturally means representing the entire country, regardless of which entity you come from. Personally, I can say that I am very proud of my work as ambassador to France over the past three years. In addition to numerous activities and support in establishing academic, cultural, and economic cooperation between BiH and France, through my efforts and lobbying last year, I significantly contributed to the inscription of the Vjetrenica cave on the UNESCO World Heritage List and Sevdalinka on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
“If I, as a representative from Republika Srpska, am expected to renounce my identity or views, then the question arises—am I truly representing BiH, or only one part of it?”
I organized a bilateral meeting between President Macron and the three members of the BiH Presidency, and another such meeting is currently being prepared. Multiple visits by BiH officials have taken place, and all were treated equally and given full support within the means available to the Embassy, regardless of their ethnic background.
Srpska365.net: Why is the right of Serbs to express their historical and political views constantly questioned in BiH?
Bojana Kondić Panić:
The historical and political rights of all peoples in BiH should be equally respected. Questioning the right of Serbs to express their views only deepens divisions and reveals a lack of maturity in political and social dialogue. It is unacceptable how Bosniaks continuously portray the Serb people as the usual culprits for everything bad that has happened in the past and the present.
Srpska365.net: Does this complaint represent an isolated case or part of an ongoing pattern of political pressure on everything coming from Republika Srpska?
Bojana Kondić Panić:
This complaint is not an isolated case, but part of a continuous pattern of denying the right to differing opinions and political positioning—especially when it comes from Republika Srpska. This trend is visible at all levels. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I have been threatened or received offensive and threatening messages. I have informed both the French police and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs about this, as I did previously and now again.
Srpska365.net: In the show, you presented a historical context and a political assessment. Why does that immediately become the subject of criminal charges?
Bojana Kondić Panić:
I find it unacceptable that providing historical context and political commentary is immediately subject to criminal charges. Historical truth cannot be built on censorship or a selective approach but must rely on open debate. Moreover, in this particular case, there was a deliberate taking of words out of context and even misquotation. One gets the impression that anything that does not portray Bosniaks as the primary victims, or even mentioning the existence of Republika Srpska as one of the two entities within BiH, causes discontent among segments of the Bosniak diaspora.
Srpska365.net: Is it still possible in BiH to speak of a three-sided truth, or is the “official version” reserved for only one people?
Bojana Kondić Panić:
Unfortunately, we are witnessing a tendency for the “official version” of truth to be attributed to only one people, which hinders the process of reconciliation and coming to terms with the past. There are also some indisputable facts, such as the reality that BiH went through a civil war in which members of all three constituent peoples suffered.
Srpska365.net: What was the reaction from French circles after your appearance—did you receive any official or unofficial feedback?
Bojana Kondić Panić:
French circles received my statements with interest and seriousness. I had both official and unofficial discussions afterward, which confirmed the need for dialogue and clarification of the complex situation in BiH—one that is not well understood by the French public or is often misrepresented. French authorities reaffirmed their support for strict adherence to the provisions of the Dayton Peace Agreement and the Constitution of BiH, urging all sides to engage in internal dialogue and reach agreements among the three constituent peoples.
Srpska365.net: Is there space for an ambassador who represents the whole of BiH while coming from Republika Srpska and not renouncing their identity?
Bojana Kondić Panić:
It is possible to be an ambassador who represents all of BiH and comes from Republika Srpska, but only if that ambassador is ready to respect the identities of all three constituent peoples and is not forced to renounce their own.
Srpska365.net: Today, women are often the pillar of the family. How challenging is it to be an ambassador, a mother, and a wife at the same time? How do you find balance?
Bojana Kondić Panić:
Being an ambassador, a mother, and a wife is extremely demanding, but it is also a privilege and an honor. I find balance through good organization, the support of my family, and a deep belief in the importance of what I do for my country. Additionally, one of my priorities is to build a better image of the country I come from, and of the entire region, which gives me the motivation to carry out my daily professional activities and face many challenges.
Srpska365.net: Is this announced complaint an attempt to discredit you personally or to send a message to Republika Srpska through you?
Bojana Kondić Panić:
This complaint appears to be an attempt to discredit me personally, but also to send a message to Republika Srpska through me. It is part of a broader political pressure campaign aimed at reducing the rights and visibility of the Serb people and Republika Srpska within BiH.
