While our children are not safe in schools, and even two years after the disaster in Donja Jablanica there is still no concluded judicial process, politicians in our country are eagerly awaiting information about who will be the new High Representative. Those maintaining relations with the international community are making calculations that range from the US to France and Italy. In recent days, calls for the abolition or reform of the OHR have also become increasingly frequent.
Who will succeed the current High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt? This is the key question among domestic and international officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina after Schmidt confirmed his resignation. Former High Representatives Carl Bildt and Wolfgang Petritsch have also made statements. They, however, are calling for the abolition of the Office of the High Representative. According to them, international supervision over the state has become an outdated solution that no longer contributes to stability. The Vice President of Republika Srpska, Ćamil Duraković, told Bildt that Bosnia and Herzegovina does not need lectures from those who left it without protection in its most difficult moments. While it is being determined whether Schmidt’s successor will come from the US, France, or Italy, domestic politicians, as always, interpret the survival of the OHR differently.
“What we know for sure is that major shifts have begun regarding the redefinition of the OHR’s position in general, meaning the confrontation with what is known as the Bonn Powers. This means that someone, without any basis in international or domestic law, thinks they can interfere in your lives, impose laws on your institutions, and perform wonders we had to survive here,” said Željka Cvijanović, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I note that without the Bonn Powers and a decisive High Representative, the Dayton System simply would not be able to function,” said Bakir Izetbegović, President of the Alliance of Democratic Action (SDA).
“In our rules of procedure, in our mandate, we do not have a requirement to consult the High Representative, nor do we have a legal foundation to rely on, except for those decisions that have entered into force, which we are obligated to respect,” said Borjana Krišto, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Schmidt announced on May 11 that he is resigning and will remain in the position until the appointment of the new High Representative, who should be proposed by the Peace Implementation Council at its session in Sarajevo on June 3 and 4. Potential candidates include William Ruger, the US National Intelligence Deputy Director for Mission Integration; Louis J. Crishock, the Principal Deputy High Representative and Brčko District Supervisor; and the Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi. France also stated that it is not shying away from proposing a candidate.
“Work in Bosnia and Herzegovina is definitely not over. This is still not a stable country; its territorial framework and sovereignty are guaranteed on paper, but they are continuously challenged by the actions of some politicians. The international community definitely cannot afford the luxury of standing aside and not reacting if such things occur,” said Ranko Mavrak, journalist and analyst.
“No matter how influential Washington is – and it is indisputably the most influential in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the EU’s power and strength should not be underestimated, especially if they manage to unite. For example, if at the PIC session the Europeans present a candidate they firmly support, even if they want that person to have stronger powers, I am not sure Washington will be able to sweep that off the table as if nothing happened,” said Dejan Šajinović, journalist.
The OHR stated that Schmidt described his term as a period of “significant progress” in the functionality of institutions, but noted that the work is not finished because Bosnia and Herzegovina has not yet fulfilled key reforms and conditions from the 5+2 agenda. He was criticized for suspending the Constitution of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on election night, and during his mandate, more than 110 million BAM was paid to the Slovenian company Viadukt due to a debt of Republika Srpska. The public RTV service of Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the verge of shutting down. Numerous problems await Schmidt’s successor. The European Union Delegation, the French Embassy, and the US Embassy did not respond to BHRT regarding potential candidates for the new High Representative. Whoever the new Representative turns out to be, a serious “Bosnian pot” awaits them.
