Leader of Bosnian Serbs warns of secession before UN vote on genocide

The leader of Bosnia’s Serb-controlled territory, Milorad Dodik, has once again threatened to secede from the Balkan country, sparking tensions ahead of a crucial UN vote on establishing an annual memorial day for the 1995 Bosnian genocide.

Dodik’s repeated threats to withdraw from Bosnia and Herzegovina come as the UN prepares to vote on a resolution sponsored by Germany and Rwanda to commemorate the genocide of over 8,000 Bosniaks in Srebrenica. The proposed resolution has been met with support from Bosniaks but has faced strong opposition from Dodik and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

Both Dodik and Vučić argue that the resolution unfairly brands all Serbs as genocidal, despite the fact that the draft does not explicitly mention Serbs as culprits. The denial of the genocide by Bosnian Serbs and Serbia has been a point of contention, with the international community recognizing the events in Srebrenica as genocide.

Relatives of the victims have expressed the importance of the UN vote, with Munira Subašić from the Mothers of Srebrenica group stating that the resolution is crucial for ensuring that the truth is not denied or forgotten. The vote is expected to take place on Thursday, with Serbia garnering support from allies such as Russia and China, while Western states back the resolution.

Dodik’s threats to secede from Bosnia have raised concerns about the stability of the region, with the leader facing sanctions for jeopardizing peace efforts in the past. The Srebrenica genocide remains a dark chapter in Bosnia’s history, with the international community seeking to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families.