The government of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska (RS) entity has drafted amendments to the Law on Police and Internal Affairs, as well as a new Law on Border Control, with both proposals now awaiting approval by the RS government before being sent to the National Assembly (NSRS) for adoption. These moves are widely seen as another escalation in the entity’s ongoing challenge to the authority of the Bosnian state.

According to reports from RTRS, the working group formed after the RS leadership's recent meeting has completed its task, and the proposed laws are now ready for consideration. Officials in Republika Srpska continue to justify these measures by claiming they are in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement, the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Annex 2 of the peace treaty.

Dodik pushes for RS-controlled border police

RS President Milorad Dodik has reiterated that, between 1996 and 2000, border control was managed by entity police forces until former High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch established Bosnia’s State Border Service on January 13, 2000. Now, Dodik and his government intend to return those responsibilities to the RS police, once the laws pass in the NSRS.

These developments have sparked reactions from Bosnian officials, including Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic, who strongly criticized Dodik’s border control ambitions.

“Dodik said on Monday that he will establish a border police force, that he will decide which trucks enter and exit, and that he will quickly sort it out with Brussels. What exactly is he telling his followers, and does anyone actually believe this scenario is possible?” Konakovic said, calling Dodik's statements reckless and urging his political allies to rein him in.

Escalating tensions and legal challenges

Dodik and his political allies have continued to push forward with legally contentious initiatives despite ongoing legal action against him and other RS leaders, including National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandic and Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic, for previous legislative moves.

Among the most controversial steps taken by the RS government in recent months was the adoption of laws that banned the jurisdiction of Bosnia’s state-level agencies, including the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (VSTV), the Prosecutor’s Office, and the State Court, in Republika Srpska. While these laws briefly went into effect, Bosnia's Constitutional Court swiftly suspended them through an interim measure.

Despite this, the RS government has now issued a decree requiring employees of these four state institutions who are from RS to withdraw from their positions by Wednesday if they wish to transfer to entity institutions. Failure to comply could result in sanctions.

Meanwhile, in a related development, SIPA Director Darko Culum resigned on Monday, reportedly in line with RS laws. His resignation adds to the growing uncertainty over the future of Bosnia’s state institutions and the increasing political tensions driven by the RS government’s latest legislative actions.