From Dw · · 1m 30s
Bosnia-Herzegovina shaped by war, separatism, EU ambitions
Bosnia's ethnic divisions and EU hopes clash as separatist ambitions resurface.
In brief
Bosnia's ethnic divisions and EU hopes clash as separatist ambitions resurface. Bosnia-Herzegovina's complex ethnic structure and EU integration efforts face challenges from Republika Srpska's separatist push. Originally reported by Dw.
Bosnia's ethnic divisions
Bosnia and Herzegovina divides its economic, administrative and political responsibilities between a multiethnic central government, the self-governing neutral Brcko district and two semi-autonomous entities.
Ethnic composition
The country has a population of around 3.1 million people, with 50% Bosniaks, 31% Serbs and 15% Croats.
Dayton Peace Accords
The 1995 Dayton Peace Accords ended the Bosnian war and legally secured the balance of power between Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats.
War consequences
The war killed 100,000 people and displaced 2.2 million through ethnic cleansing.
High representative role
The Office of the High Representative, an international institution overseeing the Dayton agreement, has been in place since 1995.
Separatist ambitions
Milorad Dodik, prime minister and president of Republika Srpska until 2025, views the high representative as an obstacle to his separatist goals.
EU integration efforts
Bosnia-Herzegovina submitted EU membership applications in 2016, with negotiations starting in early 2024.
EU support and challenges
The EU has financially supported Bosnia since 2007, but infrastructure funding for Republika Srpska has been suspended due to separatist rhetoric.
What happens next
Bosnia's EU integration efforts face pressure from Republika Srpska's separatist ambitions and the need for political reforms.
The main idea
Bosnia-Herzegovina's complex ethnic structure and EU integration efforts face challenges from Republika Srpska's separatist push.
