
The parade of members of the MIA of the Republika Srpska on the Day of this entity of BiH, which the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina twice declared unconstitutional, provoked numerous criticisms and condemnations in the region and the world.
A scene when members of the Special Anti-terrorist Unit of the RS Ministry of the Interior, armed to the teeth, with red berets on their heads, march and sing a march for the cross: “There are Serbs as a list, there are no more communists. For the cross, for the cross, of Nemanjic, for glory, for the glory of “Obilic”, few remained indifferent.
With this move, Dodik is deliberately disturbing the public and provoking a conflict. Denying that his goal is destabilization, he said in his speech that he sees Republika Srpska as “powerful, strong and independent” in five years. He has been marketing his nationalist and separatist policies for months.
The parade was also attended by the Hague convict Vinko Pandurevic, who was decorated by the Ministry of Defense of Serbia at the end of December.
The German newspaper Welt assessed that they see this event as another provocation by the Serbian member of the Presidency of BiH, Milorad Dodik, and that the fear of a new Balkan war is growing. Welt writes that the celebration was held even though this march was banned and that the event that was celebrated in Republika Srpska is illegal.
The West is watching Dodik’s policy of division with concern. A few days ago, the United States imposed new sanctions on him, and his property will be frozen there, and American citizens and companies are forbidden to do business with him. German Foreign Minister Analena Berbock from the Green Party calls for sanctions against Dodik.
Some media pointed out that Dodik is using the “national holiday” to implement its political agenda
Protests were held in 35 cities around the world due to the political crisis in BiH. As the organizers of the protest, citizens who migrated from Bosnia and Herzegovina, said earlier, in this way they want to warn of the possibility of a new conflict and that it is unacceptable for the state to be further divided on ethnic grounds.
It has been warned that many in Europe are ignoring the possibility of a new conflict. As it was said, this is not a gathering only for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but for the whole of humanity.
For the US Embassy in BiH, January 9 is unconstitutional
“The celebration of Republika Srpska Day on January 9 is unconstitutional, and the decisions of the BiH Constitutional Court are final and binding,” the United States Embassy in BiH told Radio Free Europe (RFE) on request about the celebration of the anniversary of RS.
The American embassy called on all political leaders to act in accordance with the court’s decisions.
“Respect for the rule of law is the foundation of democracy and is vital to BiH’s progress on its Euro-Atlantic path,” the response added.
Alicia Kerns: Sanctions for Dodik and NATO deployment
British MP Alisha Kerns called for an urgent reaction from the international community after a series of incidents in BiH and the Sandzak region in Serbia since the beginning of this year, emphasizing that genocidal dreams of a greater Serbia are not dead.
She pointed out that she wants Britain to introduce sanctions against Milorad Dodik, such as those introduced by the United States the other day, as well as to strengthen the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, that is, the deployment of NATO forces.
“To convene a NATO / Quint meeting, to activate the Conflict Center, and to establish a NATO unit to combat disinformation in BiH.” Conflict is not inevitable. “Now we need a diplomacy of deterrence,” Cairns said, the Danas portal reported.
Protests in front of the Serbian Embassy: Vucic, what is the priority?
On the same day, in front of the building of the Serbian Embassy in Sarajevo, organizations and individuals gathered around the “Awakening of the Citizens” initiative held peaceful protests. According to the organization, the protests were organized because of the current leadership of Serbia and the fears that the war and violence will be repeated.
They sent messages from the protest and asked the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic – what is the priority?
“Greater Serbia, the protection of Milorad Dodik or the lives of BiH citizens,” read one of the protest inscriptions.
“Is going to the celebration of the unconstitutional Day of the RS entities respecting the sovereignty of BiH?”