Every time my mum asks if there’s a new war looming over Bosnia, I bend the truth a bit. I don’t want to think how I’d tell her that we might need to flee again.
Orbán, Dodik & Co. are ready to wreak havoc and cause a war.
My latest for @haaretzcom.
🧵
haaretz.com/world-news/.pr…
Orbán, Dodik & Co. are ready to wreak havoc and cause a war.
My latest for @haaretzcom.
🧵
haaretz.com/world-news/.pr…
This holiday season marks exactly 29 years since my family and I found shelter in an improvised refugee camp in Zenica, less than two months after we fled my hometown of Jajce.
After the Army of RS seized Jajce, we joined thousands of other civilians fleeing their homes.
2/
After the Army of RS seized Jajce, we joined thousands of other civilians fleeing their homes.
2/
When the war started, I was only a year old, and too young to be conscious of what was happening around me.
Today I am old enough to recognize how power-thirsty populists are using similarly dangerous words and actions to the Serb nationalists of the early 90s.
3/
Today I am old enough to recognize how power-thirsty populists are using similarly dangerous words and actions to the Serb nationalists of the early 90s.
3/
Dodik’s constant calls for the Republika Srpska to secede have never been more tangible.
On Dec 10, its National Assembly voted to withdraw from Bosnia’s joint Armed Forces, secret service, tax system, and judiciary. Such secessionist actions haven't been properly addressed.
4/
On Dec 10, its National Assembly voted to withdraw from Bosnia’s joint Armed Forces, secret service, tax system, and judiciary. Such secessionist actions haven't been properly addressed.
4/
It's not Dodik’s warmongering that concerns the ordinary citizens as much as the silence, tacit approval or even support coming from some of the EU countries.
One of the staunchest supporters of Dodik and his irredentist plans is Hungary, and its right-wing PM Viktor Orbán.
5/
One of the staunchest supporters of Dodik and his irredentist plans is Hungary, and its right-wing PM Viktor Orbán.
5/
Last week, Orbán commented that “the challenge with Bosnia is how to integrate a country with 2 million Muslims.”
His baldly prejudiced statement caused a backlash – but mainly in BiH.
Regrettably, to this moment, not a single EU or U.S. leader responded to Orbán's remarks.
6/
His baldly prejudiced statement caused a backlash – but mainly in BiH.
Regrettably, to this moment, not a single EU or U.S. leader responded to Orbán's remarks.
6/
Orbán poured oil on the flames by announcing Hungary would block potential EU sanctions targeting Dodik for his separatist actions.
Such announcements explicitly undermine the efforts by some EU countries to sanction Dodik in the hope of restraining his secessionist urges.
7/
Such announcements explicitly undermine the efforts by some EU countries to sanction Dodik in the hope of restraining his secessionist urges.
7/
Hungary's sinister role in destabilizing BiH didn't end there.
The same day as Orbán’s remarks, a leaked EU report revealed that the EU Commissioner responsible for BiH, Olivér Várhelyi – one of Orbán's hand-picked appointments – was effectively acting in cahoots with Dodik.
8/
The same day as Orbán’s remarks, a leaked EU report revealed that the EU Commissioner responsible for BiH, Olivér Várhelyi – one of Orbán's hand-picked appointments – was effectively acting in cahoots with Dodik.
8/
Such reports are retraumatizing the ordinary people of BiH, including my mum, who now regularly relives the years preceding the bloody Bosnian war.
This week, following the news at home in Jajce, where we returned in 1997, my mum would ask: "Will there be another war soon?"
9/
This week, following the news at home in Jajce, where we returned in 1997, my mum would ask: "Will there be another war soon?"
9/
I'm nervous about the future of BiH.
Looking abroad for salvation or even just allyship is an increasingly forlorn hope: EU officials are in bed with Dodik, EU heads of state sabotaging leverage against him, and impotent American diplomats looking for quick-fix solutions.
10/
Looking abroad for salvation or even just allyship is an increasingly forlorn hope: EU officials are in bed with Dodik, EU heads of state sabotaging leverage against him, and impotent American diplomats looking for quick-fix solutions.
10/
What BiH needs is a more dedicated and joint EU-US approach grounded in the values that have made EU membership such a long sought-after goal.
Imposing sanctions against Dodik and sending additional int'l peace enforcement boots on the ground is necessary to deter violence.
11/
Imposing sanctions against Dodik and sending additional int'l peace enforcement boots on the ground is necessary to deter violence.
11/
The people of Bosnia will enter the new year worried about the security of the country.
My New Year’s wish is to never again spend a New Year’s in a refugee camp, like I did 29 years ago.
In Bosnia, we know we can never take peacetime for granted.
12/12
haaretz.com/world-news/.pr…
My New Year’s wish is to never again spend a New Year’s in a refugee camp, like I did 29 years ago.
In Bosnia, we know we can never take peacetime for granted.
12/12
haaretz.com/world-news/.pr…
Big thanks to @EstherSolomon for the opportunity to write for @haaretzcom.
I'm grateful to @DPC_global's Valery Perry and @KurtBassuener for invaluable comments. Your inputs have been most helpful.
I'm grateful to @DPC_global's Valery Perry and @KurtBassuener for invaluable comments. Your inputs have been most helpful.
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