Germany has called on European Union member states to join its push for sanctions against officials from Republika Srpska (RS), citing escalating attacks on the constitutional integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
The German government announced on Thursday that it had banned entry to RS President Milorad Dodik and two senior officials, following what it described as “deliberate efforts to undermine the state.”
“These attacks on the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina are unacceptable and represent a threat to regional peace and security,” said Amelie Titel, acting spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry.
Germany and Austria Take the Lead
Germany, in coordination with Austria, is pressing the EU to adopt a bloc-wide sanctions framework targeting separatist leadership in the RS entity.
“We’ve made progress with Austria and now call on all EU members to support our initiative,” Titel told reporters in Berlin, adding that both countries are aligned in their approach.
Warning to Serbia and Republika Srpska
Titel emphasized Berlin’s unwavering commitment to the Dayton Peace Agreement, asserting that BiH’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable.
She also urged Serbia to distance itself from separatist agendas:
“Officials in Republika Srpska must change their political course, repeal unconstitutional laws, and abandon attempts to establish illegal parallel institutions.”
Arrest Warrant and Dodik’s Defiance
The pressure on Milorad Dodik intensified last week when an internal arrest warrant was issued after he refused to respond to a prosecutor’s summons related to a case of undermining the constitutional order.
Despite the warrant, Dodik left Bosnia and Herzegovina and was later seen in Israel and Moscow, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin. Authorities are investigating how he managed to cross the border undetected.
On Wednesday night, Dodik reappeared in Banja Luka, claiming he would continue international travel and “refuse isolation.”
EU Future at Stake
At a recent meeting in Sarajevo, German Minister for European Affairs Anna Luehrmann and Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger discussed the deepening crisis with Bosnian leaders, urging firm EU action.
“BiH’s future lies in the European Union, and Germany will continue to stand by its side,” Luehrmann affirmed.
