Milorad Dodik, President of the Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has sparked controversy by stating that Republika Srpska is rich in rare minerals and is willing to exchange those resources for political recognition from global powers including the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union, according to a report by Danas.
“Give us freedom, confirm our already existing sovereignty, guarantee the Dayton Agreement, our political independence, and the independence of Republika Srpska—and we will be your business partners,” Dodik proclaimed during a speech to the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Minerals as Leverage for Statehood
According to Dodik, geological surveys have confirmed the presence of valuable rare minerals in Republika Srpska’s territory, including lithium, boron, strontium, sodium, and potassium—resources that are increasingly crucial in the global energy and technology sectors.
“Offer us a framework that respects the Dayton structure and the constitutional competencies of the entities,” he added, suggesting that mineral wealth could be leveraged as a geopolitical bargaining chip.
Legal Troubles and Controversial Leadership
Dodik’s provocative remarks come amid his ongoing legal challenges. In February, he was sentenced to one year in prison and banned from holding political office for six years for defying decisions made by the international High Representative in Bosnia, and for violating the constitutional order.
Despite a request by a Bosnian court to INTERPOL for an international arrest warrant, the application was rejected, further intensifying the political drama surrounding his leadership.
