Bosnia and Herzegovina left vulnerable by policy clash with US, representative says

"German Christian Democrat politician Christian Schmidt is set to explain his resignation in a scheduled meeting with the UN security council in New York on Tuesday, where he will also warn about the fragility of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has made clear he believes his post should be maintained by saying he will stay on until his successor is appointed. The UN high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina has warned about the possible destruction of the multi-ethnic state after he was forced to resign in a policy clash with the US, seemingly complicated by the commercial interests of a firm linked to Donald Trump Jr that is seeking to make investments in the region."

"The role of the UN high representative was established as part of the 1995 Dayton peace agreement that ended a three year ethnic war in which more than 100,000 people were killed. It was given wide powers for the interpretation of the agreement, including amending laws, but is subject to the decisions of a 55-strong multinational governing board. Schmidt has served as high representative for five years, but his appointment has always been opposed by Russia and the largely autonomous Republika Srpska, the Serb-run part of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

"He has has clashed with the former Republika Srpska president Milorad Dodik, a close ally of Vladimir Putin and an attendee at the 9 May Moscow Victory Day parade, who he disqualified from office for six months for failing to comply with his decisions. Dodik was until last year subject to US sanctions but, in a reversal not coordinated with the European Union, they were lifted, in a move that signalled a shifting US approach to the western Balkans. There is no sign that Dodik has dropped his secessionist views."

Christian Schmidt is scheduled to explain his resignation to the UN Security Council in New York and to warn that Bosnia and Herzegovina remains fragile. He said he would stay in his role until a successor is appointed. The UN High Representative position was created under the 1995 Dayton peace agreement to oversee implementation after an ethnic war. The role includes broad powers to interpret the agreement and amend laws, while remaining subject to a multinational governing board. Schmidt’s tenure has faced opposition from Russia and Republika Srpska. He previously disqualified Milorad Dodik for noncompliance, and Dodik’s secessionist stance has continued despite US sanctions being lifted.

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