Former UK Ambassador Crawford reflects on Dayton negotiations and Bosnia’s fragile foundations

Crawford emphasized that very few of the international negotiators truly understood the intricate constitutional and ethnic realities of Yugoslavia. He highlighted that the agreement relied heavily on the concept of “constituent peoples,” which was central to Bosnia’s post-war political structure. According to Crawford, this framework included Serbs, Bosniaks, Croats, and Others, with the “Others” group being excluded from representation in the state presidency, a situation he described as inherently discriminatory. He argued that these arrangements created deep contradictions in the process from the very beginning.

Crawford also reflected on the broader implications of the Dayton Agreement for Bosnia today, arguing that the country continues to struggle because its political and legal foundations were established under pressure and without sufficient attention to long-term stability. He suggested that Bosnia’s current challenges stem in part from these flawed foundations and that the international community is unlikely to intervene unless Bosnia itself actively seeks change.

He concluded that the Dayton Agreement, while historically significant, resulted in a political system built on uncertain and uneven foundations, leaving the country with structural issues that persist decades later.

Watch the full video below for Crawford’s detailed analysis of the Dayton negotiations, insights into the international approach at the time, and his assessment of the long-term effects on Bosnia.