Džemal Bijedić was a prominent Bosnian and Herzegovinian and Yugoslav politician, known for his contributions to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and for his advocacy for the recognition of Bosnian and Herzegovinian Muslims as a constitutive nation. His political career was abruptly ended by a tragic plane crash in 1977, which also claimed the lives of his wife and several crew members.
Politically Active from an Early Age – Joining the Communists in His 20s
Bijedić was born on April 12, 1917, in Mostar, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. He hailed from the prominent Bosnian and Herzegovinian trading family, Bajramaga Bijedić, which had moved to Mostar from Gacko in 1915. His father, Adem, died of the Spanish flu when Džemal was only one year old, and he was raised by his mother, Zarifa, and his uncle, Bećir.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Mostar and earned a law degree from the Faculty of Law at the University of Belgrade. During his studies, he joined the Communist Party of Yugoslavia in 1939 and was detained multiple times due to his political activities.
The Second World War
During World War II, Bijedić, according to some sources, briefly served in the ranks of the Croatian Home Guard under communist direction, using the pseudonym Ante Jukić. In 1943, he joined the Partisan movement. This period of his life is often subject to differing interpretations, but Bijedić’s postwar dedication to communist ideals and the construction of Yugoslavia remains indisputable.
Postwar Career
After the war, Bijedić held numerous political positions, including Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs in the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina. From 1967 to 1971, he served as President of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and from 1971 until his death, he was President of the Federal Executive Council of SFR Yugoslavia.
Bijedić played a crucial role in strengthening the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under his leadership, heavy industry developed—including the aluminum plant in Herzegovina—and the Sarajevo–Ploče railway was modernized. He actively promoted coexistence among the different nations within Yugoslavia.
The Kreševo Accident
Bijedić and his wife Razija died on January 18, 1977, when their Learjet 25 crashed into Mount Inač near Kreševo. The plane was en route from Belgrade to Sarajevo, and adverse weather conditions were cited as the cause. Alongside the couple, several crew members and close associates also lost their lives. Some conspiracy theories even suggest possible sabotage, as Bijedićwas considered a potential successor to Josip Broz Tito.
In his honor, the University of Mostar was renamed the University of Džemal Bijedić. His birthplace was converted into a museum, and numerous monuments and exhibitions commemorate his contributions. A special exhibition on his life and work was held in 2016 in Mostar. The older generation remembers him as a “loyal Yugoslav” and one of the most significant politicians of Bosnia and Herzegovina of his era.
