War, secessionism, conflict – these are the terms that, 26 years after the establishment of the Dayton Peace Agreement, should become archaisms. On contrary, tensions are constantly rising and living standards are falling sharply. Many have already called the current crisis the biggest and deepest since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), according to the promises made on yesterday’s day in 1995 in Dayton, should have long ago become a favorable state for all its citizens. The reality, however, is different.
Peace – according to many, is the only good of the Dayton Agreement. BiH remains a democratic country where the rule of law is respected and all people are equal. Citizens remember that November 21st, 1995 well. Fears, desires, and hopes.
Happiness and relief, over the years, began to change to the feeling of helplessness, as citizens explain. Their expectations of life in BiH, it turns out, were too optimistic.
Because “better tomorrow has not yet come“, BiH is slowly becoming a country of old people. Young people are leaving out of necessity since they have their own vision of BiH. Completely different from their everyday life.
“If we only had the opportunity for young people to spend quality free time and to express themselves in a business sense, professionally, if we could achieve our dreams so that we do not have to look it elsewhere,” stated Harun Sabanovic, Youth Council of Brcko District BiH.
People are not leaving, they are driven away by a policy of division, exclusivity, and hatred, as analysts say.
While some are convinced that the state survives only thanks to the Dayton Agreement, others think that BiH still does not function today precisely because of its complicated framework.
“Dayton has become a problem that cannot be lived with because, as it is, with its structure has enabled the supreme abuse of local ethnopoliticians,” told Esad Bajtal, a sociologist.
There are many who believe that the Dayton Agreement should have been only a temporary solution. However, to date, not a single constitutional change has been agreed upon at the level of BiH. There is no agreement even when it comes to holidays.
E.Dz.
Source: BHRT
