Warnings of war in Bosnia over Republika Srpska's secession threats
The German newspaper "Die Welt" voices serious concerns about a potential secession of Republika Srpska, the region with a Serbian majority in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the newspaper, such a move could lead to an outbreak of war in the country within just an hour.
"Die Welt" recalls recent threats of secession, which emerged during discussions about the UN resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica. This resolution aimed to establish July 11 as the anniversary of the events in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina as the International Day of Remembrance for the Genocide.
In July 1995, in Srebrenica, which was designated as a safe zone under UN supervision, over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were massacred. The search for the remains of about a thousand victims of this tragedy is ongoing.
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, expressed concerns that the adoption of the resolution could result in future claims for war reparations against Belgrade and challenge the status of Republika Srpska (RS) - a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina acknowledged by the peace agreement in Dayton. RS includes territories where genocide and ethnic cleansing occurred.
The President of RS, Milorad Dodik, declared that "the region's authorities are already showing determination in implementing actions aimed at achieving independence" for the part of Bosnia and Herzegovina predominantly inhabited by Serbs. However, Dodik denied that genocide took place in the vicinity of Srebrenica.
"Die Welt" notes that Dodik can count on the support of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the President of Serbia. The Vice President of RS, Camil Durakovic, warns that "if Dodik announces secession, within an hour, a war will break out in Bosnia and Herzegovina".
The newspaper emphasizes that Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently the most unstable and vulnerable country in the region, and it is facing the most serious situation since the breakup of Yugoslavia. "Any conflict here could lead to a return to the 90s," notes "Die Welt".
Durakovic appeals: "The international community must intervene."
Munira Subasic from the organization "Mothers of Srebrenica", comprising women who lost their husbands, sons, fathers, or brothers in 1995, claims that the policy of genocide is still ongoing in Republika Srpska.
