Authorities in Sarajevo are preparing a formal protest note to Croatia following strong reactions to a controversial map of Bosnia and Herzegovina presented at a conference in Zagreb.
The map, unveiled during a panel discussion titled “Bosnia and Herzegovina: a failed state and the necessity of a third Croatian entity,” proposed the creation of a so-called “Croat Republic,” encompassing parts of western Herzegovina, the Mostar region, and additional areas in central Bosnia and Posavina. Participants argued that such a model, inspired by Belgium, could ensure equality among constituent peoples.
The proposal has triggered sharp criticism from political actors and civil society. The Party of Democratic Action (SDA) condemned the event, warning that discussions framed around the status of Croats in Bosnia risk reviving ideas of ethnic territorial division reminiscent of the 1990s.
Similarly, the Igman Initiative expressed deep concern, describing the promotion of partition maps as “dangerous messages that revive the ghosts of a dark past.” The group warned that such narratives echo pre-war rhetoric that contributed to conflict and instability in the region.
Bosnian public figures also reacted strongly. Journalist Senad Hadžifejzović criticized the discussions, arguing that similar proposals targeting neighboring countries would be widely condemned, highlighting what he described as double standards.
The controversy was further amplified by the reported presence of an advisor to the Croatian foreign minister at the event, which some observers interpreted as a signal of political backing.
Regional organizations cautioned that any attempt to redraw borders along ethnic lines could destabilize the Western Balkans and undermine peace and security. They called on the international community, particularly the United States as a key architect of the Dayton Agreement, to respond firmly to actions that challenge the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
