State within a state? The Serbian problem in Bosnia - Politics today

Republika Srpska cannot deploy independent armed forces in accordance with international agreements, and Bosnia's multinational army is obliged to protect all citizens, regardless of religion or race.

Bosnian Serb troops take part in a parade in East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jan. 9, 2023, to mark Republika Srpska Day, one of the country's two ethnic regions called local entities. Photo: Anadolu Images.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is composed of various ethnic and religious communities. Serbs, as a prominent minority, have their own autonomous entity, Republika Srpska, which is half of the Bosnian state and the other half is the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Republika Srpska has its own legal bodies and institutions, but it still has to abide by national law.

However, this system does not seem to work as intended, especially when the largest minority demands separatism.

The problem of separatism has legal and political underpinnings. Milorad Dodik's recent legislation, passed on June 27, deals with property. His desire is to protect Serbian property, as he fears that the Bosnian authorities will either confiscate it or transfer it to Europeans wishing to purchase real estate in Bosnia.

At the same time, Bosnian lawmakers are advocating nationalization of state property because, in their opinion, real estate should not be under the jurisdiction of state entities, but should belong to the entire state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Serbian residents of Republika Srpska are worried about such news: they want full control over the real estate under their jurisdiction. This reflects a desire for independence, and Dodik is threatening Bosnia with an independence referendum that would allow it to secede from the country.