UN Security Council to discuss BiH on Friday, Dodik already unhappy

The Security Council is expected to decide whether to extend the mandate of the European Union's military mission in BiH, known as Althea, for another year. Since the 1995 signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, the body has discussed the situation in BiH every six months, drawing on assessments from the OHR. The latest report was signed by Louis Crishock, the acting High Representative who succeeded Christian Schmidt after the German politician resigned in June under pressure from US President Donald Trump's administration.

Crishock's report echoes assessments the OHR has made for years, stating that politicians in BiH are refusing to implement necessary reforms and that the country remains trapped in ethnic divisions.

For years, the OHR has singled out the policies pursued by the Republika Srpska authorities, led by Milorad Dodik, as a particular threat to BiH's stability.

These persistent obstructions weaken state institutions, limit their ability to fulfil their legal obligations and delay Euro-Atlantic integration, the report says, according to excerpts published by local media. Combined with attempts to bypass state institutions and establish separate structures in Republika Srpska, the report adds, they reinforce the scenario of de facto separation.

The findings prompted objections from the entity, whose leaders had hoped the Trump administration's favourable attitude would also lead to a softer approach from the OHR under Crishock.

Zeljka Cvijanovic, the Serb member of BiH's tripartite Presidency, said the report was full of "lies and manipulation", while her party leader Dodik described it as "a recycling of the same accusations against Republika Srpska and the persistent presentation of political constructs as facts". In a post on X, he demanded that all decisions made by High Representatives to date be annulled.

The OHR said legislation in BiH was being blocked by the loss of a quorum in parliament, Constitutional Court rulings were not being implemented, and government bodies were short of money and staff because of blockades, while Republika Srpska was attempting to take over state powers.

The report also notes that officials from the entity praised convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic following his recent death.

The OHR said Crishock would not attend the Security Council meeting, but Denis Becirovic, the chair of BiH's Presidency, would be present.

Representatives of Croatia and Serbia, as signatories to the Dayton Peace Agreement, also regularly take part in the debate.