Christian Schmidt, whom officials in Republika Srpska consider an illegitimate High Representative, is preparing to leave Bosnia and Herzegovina, but political tensions surrounding his mandate continue.
In a recent interview for a German media outlet, Schmidt stated that “the job in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not finished,” claiming that the international community still needs to support the rule of law in the country.
“I wanted to be the last one. It did not turn out that way. But now we must complete the process. We must support the rule of law, the rule of law, the rule of law,” Schmidt said.
Officials from Republika Srpska argue that Schmidt deepened the constitutional crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina by imposing decisions without confirmation from the UN Security Council, which they insist is required under the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Nikola Špirić, deputy speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated that recent messages from the UN Security Council showed growing opposition among major powers to foreign intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s internal affairs.
Representatives of Russia, China and the United States all emphasized during the latest Security Council session that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future should increasingly depend on domestic political actors rather than international supervision.
Sanja Vulić, head of the SNSD caucus in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, announced that legal action against Schmidt is being prepared.
“He will not simply leave Bosnia and Herzegovina without consequences. Our legal battle against him is only beginning,” Vulić said.
SNSD officials also criticized opposition politicians from Republika Srpska who previously met with Schmidt, accusing them of granting legitimacy to his mandate.
Meanwhile, Republika Srpska institutions are preparing a declaration that will be presented before the National Assembly next week, calling on the Peace Implementation Council and the UN Security Council to begin the final closure of the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Source: RTRS
