What lies behind the joint celebration of Serbia and Republika Srpska (RS)? How do the secessionist ambitions and political maneuvering of the Vucic-Dodik duo fit into the broader political context? Is the joint celebration of Sretenje, the self-proclaimed Statehood Day of Serbia and RS, a step forward or a last-ditch effort and search for refuge, knowing their own political fate?
If you have walked through Banja Luka these days, for a moment, you might have felt like you were not in your own country. As if you had perhaps crossed one of the borders, and entered the neighbor’s backyard, but without any papers or rights. And if, by chance, you attended the special ceremonial academy, some might have even convinced you that you were not in the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
“Mr. President Aleksandar Vucic, welcome to the state of the Serbian people, RS,” declared RS President Milorad Dodik at the celebration in Borik.
But for those who know better – and let’s be honest, it’s not hard to find out – the facts are entirely clear. There is no Statehood Day for those who are not a state. Banja Luka is the second-largest city in BiH. And despite various claims by individuals, it remains part of one country.
“Today is the first time that RS is marking its Statehood Day, which is Sretenje. And that is so normal and so logical,” Dodik asserted.
It is not normal, it is not logical, and it is not legally founded. On the contrary, it goes against all rules and laws. It leads to secessionism, which, truth be told, politicians like Milorad Dodik and all those who applauded these statements have long stopped hiding.
“RS is trapped and imprisoned in BiH. I know many do not like to hear this, but RS must lead its liberation process against BiH because we will not end well in it,” Dodik stated.
Presented as an ideology, on paper, it is a criminal offense. To recall, the Criminal Code of BiH prescribes imprisonment for attempts to secede from parts of the territory. There is work for the Prosecutor’s Office – it is up to them whether they will act. Because Dodik’s statements, newly repeated, are nothing new. However, Vucic’s, on the other hand, had so far been wrapped in cellophane. This time, on BiH territory, they were unwrapped:
“We will do nothing against the Bosniaks, but we will not allow their politicians to humiliate us either. They will not be able to hit us like a punching bag without us ever responding. Without fear, we will respond to every political provocation,” Vucic stated.
To whom and how remains unknown. His speech touched on a range of topics: from the Srebrenica genocide resolution, Bosniak victims, and Serbia’s policy, which, according to Vucic, has never interfered in BiH’s internal affairs. Even if we set aside consultations in Belgrade and controversial statements – for example, by Aleksandar Vulin – it is difficult to ignore the conclusions of the All-Serb Assembly, which is why Sretenje was marked in the way it was. Because they agreed to call the entity a state.
“And when did we ever interfere in your political affairs in Sarajevo? Never. But what do you do every single day? Where have you seen good neighbors bringing resolution proposals to the United Nations (UN) without even asking or informing their good neighbors about it? The Serbian people are not a rag, and they are not a handful of oats that anyone can just devour,” Vucic stated.
In the Resolution on the Srebrenica Genocide, it is important to note, that there is no collective responsibility of the Serbian people. The Srebrenica genocide is internationally recognized and legally confirmed. Acknowledging the past is a good foundation for future relations. That is missing, but there is abuse of the platform for personal political processes. In Serbia, protests over Vucic’s policies; in BiH, a legal case against Dodik. Is Serbian unity a facade for political support?
“I am glad, President, that you are here to feel how much support you have from the people,” Dodik said.
“Not only Aleksandar Vucic, but Serbia will not turn its back on you, RS, or the RS state leadership, no matter what their decision is,” Vucic declared.
Does this mean that if the verdict against Dodik is a conviction, Vucic will not recognize it, and consequently, neither will the Court of BiH? And can we soon expect the fight for personal interests to turn into an economic one? For example, will Serbia give up the money it currently holds due to the unresolved border issue between the two countries? That money is measured in billions of BAM. So instead of talking about secession, we could talk about the progress of BiH. Because at least that existed before Dodik and Vucic.
